"The test of whether we have achieve much progress in our proficiency in Mandarin is when our people are able to communicate in simple elegant Mandarin that is effective and yet touches the hearts and minds of the people they are communicating with," said Wong, who launched this year's Speak Mandarin Campaign.

    Singapore, with about 78 percent of its population being ethnically Chinese, has been attaching increasing importance to the Chinese Language education in the past few years.

    Wong urged Singaporeans to appreciate the beauty of the language, as that will add much to one's cultural and personal enrichment, and also business effectiveness.

    Into its 27th year, the Speak Mandarin Campaign has reaped results. The proportion of Mandarin-speaking Chinese rose to 47 percent last year, up from 30 percent in 1990.

    But the post-1965 generation of Chinese Singaporeans used to speaking English in their daily lives now.

    In order to get these young Singaporeans to gain a better appreciation of Chinese culture and tradition, the Promote Mandarin Council this year aims to make learning enjoyable by using music, movies and metaphors.