IT Infrastructure and Standards - Measures to facilitate IT and E-business Development

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IT Infrastructure and Standards > Measures to facilitate IT and E-business Development > Common Chinese Language Interface

Why do we need a common coding scheme for Chinese characters?

Different computer systems may use different coding schemes in processing Chinese characters. Different coding schemes may not be compatible with each other, resulting in distortion of Chinese characters during electronic communication and exchange of data. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt a common standard so as to address the problems arising from the use of different Chinese coding schemes.

What is Common Chinese Language Interface?

Under the "Digital 21" Information Technology Strategy, the Government has established an open and common Chinese language interface for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The common Chinese language interface helps facilitate more accurate communication conducted electronically by the community in Chinese. The pivotal elements of the interface are the adoption of the ISO 10646 standard (ISO 10646) and the development of the Hong Kong Supplementary Character Set. ISO 10646 is an international coding standard developed under the aegis of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for the processing and exchange of electronic information. It embraces characters used in major languages including traditional and simplified Chinese characters. By adopting a common international coding standard, the problems arising from the use of different Chinese coding schemes can be resolved. Different computer systems will be able to accurately process and display Chinese information received during electronic communication.

Hong Kong Supplementary Character Set (HKSCS)

In collaboration with the Chinese Language Interface Advisory Committee (CLIAC), the Government published the HKSCS in 1999. The HKSCS contains Chinese characters that are specific to the HKSAR and commonly used by the Government and the public in electronic communication. With the adoption of the HKSCS, the exchange of Chinese electronic data between the Government and the public can become more effective and accurate. The latest version of HKSCS is HKSCS-2004 published in May 2005.

All characters of the HKSCS have been included in the ISO/IEC 10646:2003 and its Amendment 1. The Government has been actively taking part in the development of the ISO 10646.

For more information about the common Chinese language interface including the HKSCS and the CLIAC, please visit the "Digital 21" IT Strategy Web Site: www.info.gov.hk/digital21/eng/structure/cli_main.html

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