'One Country, Two Systems' Firmly Rooted in Hong Kong: Official

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, July 02, 2002

'One Country, Two Systems' Firmly Rooted in Hong Kong: Official

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The "One Country, Two Systems" principle remained firmly rooted in Hong Kong five years after itsreturn to China, Hong Kong Commissioner to the United States Jacqueline Willis said at the "Asia's World City" reception in NewYork on July 1 (New York time).

At the event to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR),Willis said in the past five years, Hong Kong has remained true toits foundations of success: the rule of law underpinned by an independent judiciary, a level playing field for business, free flow of information, a society which respects human rights and a clean, efficient and effective civil service.

The Basic Law protects the key ingredients essential to the SAR's ongoing development as an economy and a society. These include the free flow of capital and goods, a freely convertible currency,the retained status as a separate Customs and Immigration territory, and the right to maintain its own shipping register andto negotiate its own air services agreements.

"Economically, our institutional strengths, strategic location,business-friendly environment, and our pool of professional services place Hong Kong in a unique position to develop the mainland market with our business partners," said the commissioner."I firmly believe that we are the best business partners you can find in Asia."

As Hong Kong continues to promote its unique strengths and advantages, Willis said she looks forward to increasing opportunities to working with the United States in promoting economic and business relationships.

July 1, 2002 also marks the dawn of a new era for the governance of the Hong Kong SAR, said Willis. Coinciding with the start of the second term of Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa, a new accountability system is also in place to make the government more open and accountable to our people.

"Under the new system, our principal officials are accountable for the success or otherwise of their policy and performance," said Willis. "The Chief Executive and his team of Principal Officials will apply themselves fully to foster an open, enlightened and progressive government that is dedicated to serving the interests of the people."

Willis, together with Director of Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in New York Sarah P.C. Wu, hosted the reception in New York,attended by some 400 guests, including Chinese Consul General Ambassador Zhang Hongxi, and the Permanent Representative of Chinato the United Nations Ambassador Wang Yingfan.

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