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Presiding at the opening of the 26th Asia Pacific Dental Congress, the Hong Kong Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, brought conference participants up to date on the many challenges facing Hong Kong in the past six years.
These include a painful economic restructuring, hampered by the piercing of the bubble economy, the growing impact of globalisation and budget deficits in the area of public finance. SARS dealt Hong Kong another severe blow.
“What has happened in Hong Kong speaks of the tremendous resilience and strength of our society and its institutions that we have withstood such a storm without political, social and economic breakdown,” said Mr Tung.
He pointed out that the rapid and orderly development of the Chinese economy has bolstered Hong Kong’s own economic strength. The free trade-type agreement between the Mainland and Hong Kong, named CEPA (Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement), builds on the mutually beneficial relationship. As well, Hong Kong has forged closer co-operation with colleagues in the Guangdong Provincial Government and allowed Hong Kong banks to do Remninbi business.
Hong Kong is now emerging from its prolonged period of difficulties, said Mr Tung. The economy has begun to rebound, confidence is rising, property prices have stabilised and are edging up. “Although there are uncertainties further down the road, I am optimistic about our economy as we forge ahead.”
Mr Tung also took the opportunity to brief his audience on the progress of constitutional development in Hong Kong. “We are confident in developing an arrangement for the 1007 and 2008 elections that is in the best interest of Hong Kong,” he said.
He also commended the Faculty of Dentistry in the University of Hong Kong and dental professionals in Hong Kong for significantly improving the oral health of local people and pioneering new aspects of dental science. “I am happy to see the Hong Kong Dental Association has been proactive in promoting co-operation between the dental professions of Hong Kong and the Mainland,” he added.
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