"The principle of 'One Country, Two Systems' as enshrined in the Basic Law has been fully implemented since reunification. This is an achievement which has won international recognition," a Hong Kong government spokesman said Saturday.

The spokesman made the remarks in response to media enquiries concerning a report on Hong Kong published by the Taiwan authorities recently. The report held that Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy was eroded.

"Since reunification, the Central Authorities have strictly adhered to the Basic Law, and have not interfered in the affairs within the autonomy of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region(SAR). There is no erosion whatsoever of Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy," he said. "Our freedoms of speech, assembly and many others remain strong, and are preserved and protected by the Basic Law," he added. "The mass media in Hong Kong remain vibrant and vocal. Freedom of speech is very much alive in Hong Kong. Officials of the HKSAR government continue to be subject to public scrutiny. They respond to press enquiries and appear on the programs of the electronic media to account for government's decisions and actions," he said. "The Basic Law also preserves our common law tradition and ensures the independence of the judiciary."

"Freedoms and rights, the rule of law and democracy represent the core values of Hong Kong. These core values constitute the foundation of Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. The Central Authorities and the HKSAR government are fully committed to upholding and preserving these core values," the spokesman said.