The Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) held a New Year Party, also Commissioner Yang Wenchang's farewell party, here Wednesday.

Speaking at the party, Yang said he will soon complete the Hong Kong term of office of two and a half years and will go back to Beijing.

In the last term of his career, he has witnessed the realization and development of the concept of "one country, two systems" put forward by Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, said Yang, describing his last term as "a life-long honor."

In the two and a half years, Hong Kong encountered temporary economic difficulties, but the economy revived in 2004 and has kept its development momentum since then, said the commissioner.

During the same period, Hong Kong's political situation has been stable, he added.

Yang said he hopes Hong Kong will maintain its prosperity, stability and social harmony. He said he believes Hong Kong will have a better future and keep shining as the "Pearl of the Orient."

More than 500 people attended the party, including HKSAR Chief Executive Donald Tsang, officials of the HKSAR government, members of the Executive Council, members of the Legislative Council, and foreign consuls-general in Hong Kong.

Source: Xinhua