BEIJING -- A political advisor from Hong Kong proposed on Wednesday to allow overseas Chinese sitting on China's "two sessions" as non-voting participants to summit their comments or suggestions in English rather than in Chinese only.
Anna Sohmen Pao, honorary president of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, said China needs to include experience from overseas Chinese to advance its position on the international arena.
"However, some of these Chinese are not proficient at speaking or writing Chinese as they are born or educated overseas," Pao, who is a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), or the country's top political advisory body.
Pao made the remarks at the ongoing CPPCC annual session that started on March 3 in Beijing.
She said many documents of the National People's Congress (NPC) and CPPCC, including the government work report, are provided in both Chinese and English, while these documents are also available in seven Chinese ethnic languages such as Mongolian, Tibetan and Uygur.
"To allow English to be used during the NPC and CPPCC sessions will attract more young overseas Chinese to pay attention to Chinese issues," Pao said.
"Of course, young overseas Chinese should also spend more time learning Chinese Mandarin so as to make their due contribution to China's unity and world harmony," she added.
