Press Release - Aug 25, 2000
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today launched a web site entitled "Hong Kong and the Pursuit of Economic Freedom," explaining why Hong Kong's economy is regarded as one of the freest in the world.

The new web site, www.freeconomy.org, provides comprehensive information about components of Hong Kong's economy, including the policies and practices which make Hong Kong what it is today.

In launching the site, Financial Secretary Donald Tsang said: "Economic freedom is about many things. But above all, it is about openness, transparency, freedom of speech and the free and unfettered flow of information at all levels - government, business and politics."

The web site has hyperlinks to many other portals - government and non-government, local and overseas. They include institutions such as the Fraser Institute of Canada and the Heritage Foundation and Cato Institute of the United States.

Web surfers will find an array of information on Hong Kong's economy, economic policies, legal and tax systems. This web site takes the visitors to the HKSAR Government's policy bureaux and departments, linking them to their own web sites for more detailed insight.

The site is currently in both English and Chinese, and has a text-only version for the vision-impaired. It will be translated into French, German, Spanish, Italian and Japanese to expand its reach to other parts of the world.

The acting Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada), Mr. Eddie Cheung, said in building the web site the Government has recognised the importance of the Internet as an increasingly important tool for disseminating information.

"We hope that academics, economists, officials of other governments, researchers for think-tanks and financial organisations, and anyone interested in economic matters will find this a valuable, thought-provoking resource," Mr. Cheung said.

For further information please contact Chief Information Officer, Jean Chan [email protected].