ALL 18 Walmart stores in Shenzhen became the first to trial bilingual services Monday in a bid to promote the English language in Shenzhen in preparation for the Universiade in August.
Announcements and price tags are now in Chinese and English.
It will help create a better environment for speaking and using English because a good English speaking environment can help bring foreign guests closer by facilitating international communication, said Yan Xiaopei, vice director of the standing committee of the city legislature, at a ceremony Monday.
Shenzhen launched a campaign last August to promote English speaking among the public.
A group of volunteers from Beijing were invited to Shenzhen to lead the campaign. A manual of frequently used English phrases will be compiled with tips for pronunciation and comprehension.
Workers in restaurants, hotels, taxis and bus drivers would receive English language training, Mayor Xu Qin said at the end of last year.
Last September, the first foreign expert joined the Executive Office of the Organizing Committee of Shenzhen Universiade to serve the international sporting event as a translator and editor.
David Earl Groth, 60, has a doctorate from Stanford University and worked for the Beijing Olympic Games as an English editor. One of his tasks was to proofread the English speeches delivered by top Chinese officials.
The Shenzhen Universiade will be the biggest international sports event yet held in the city. It is expected to attract about 13,000 athletes and officials from around the world.
(Mu Zi)
