I FIND a timely reminder in last Saturday's Insight article, 'Don't mock them - help them love the language', which brings up the hot topic of Mandarin proficiency again.

This time, the focus is not on cultural connection - how Chinese Singaporeans should speak Mandarin as mother tongue.

There is only the sobering economic reality that we risk losing our relevance in a post-crisis world where China will exert a greater global influence.

I hope the article serves as a wake-up call for the young who find Mandarin a shackle rather than an enabler.

Parents who have persistently played down the role of Mandarin should re-examine their perspective.

I find it ironic that the non-Chinese youngsters featured in the Speak Mandarin Campaign advertisements are able to learn Mandarin even though they come from non-Chinese backgrounds.

Yet some Chinese parents and children keep griping that Chinese is compulsory in school.

Kudos to the Promote Mandarin Council for delivering an impactful advertising campaign.

Alvin Tan

This article was first published in The Straits Times.