HKSAR Celebrates 6th Anniversary

On the 6th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on 1 July, the Hong Kong Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, welcomed Premier Wen Jiabao, State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan, CPPCC Vice Chairmen Liao Hui and Henry Fok to a celebration reception. 

Mr Tung thanked Premier Wen for travelling to Hong Kong to attend the signing of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) and the special Anniversary Reception.

Speaking of the past year, Mr Tung recalled the painful SARS experience and said it was imperative that the HKSAR Government should adopt a pragmatic approach, seek the help of experts and improve Hong Kong’s disease prevention system so as to prevent a recurrence. “Should Hong Kong be hit with another epidemic," he said, “we would proactively, comprehensively and effectively deal with it."

Reiterating his Government’s pledge to implement “One Country, Two Systems" and sustain Hong Kong’s social and economic growth, Mr Tung said, “After SARS, we are more determined than ever in our conviction: rapid economic recovery and early realization of economic restructuring is a shared mission of our Government and Hong Kong’s 6.8 million citizens."

Hong Kong’s positioning, direction and goal in economic restructuring are clear, said Mr Tung: “A highly developed knowledge-based society with the Mainland as its hinterland and a global outlook." In addition to upgrading infrastructure, 
developing innovation, brand and high-tech manufacturing, the CEPA offers a solid platform to launch Hong Kong toward its goals. “We will vigorously foster closer economic ties with the Mainland, in particular the Pearl River Delta region, and strengthen our already excellent global business network."

This development strategy, said Mr Tung, will ensure that Hong Kong continues to be the premier gateway and conduit between the Mainland and the rest of the world. 

Mr Tung acknowledged that economic restructuring has been made even more painful because of SARS, but said that Government measures to ease unemployment and build tourism would assist in boosting economic growth.

In the six years since the setting up of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Hong Kong has weathered the unprecedented Asian financial turmoil and then SARS. “Time and time again we displayed amazing resilience," said Mr Tung. “We have lived up to the mission of ‘Hong Kong people running Hong Kong'.  I am confident that with the same spirit demonstrated by Hong Kong people and our Government, and backed by the full support of our motherland, we will make it!"

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