Prince Andrew of UK expresses faith in HK's future

Visiting Prince Andrew of the United Kingdom, the Duke of York, dispelled doubts about Hong Kong 's further Friday, saying the kingdom's long-term faith in Hong Kong's future has not been misplaced since the handover in 1997.

In the first official Royal visit to Hong Kong since the handover, Prince Andrew reassured business leaders from the British Chamber of Commerce that Hong Kong will continue to serve as the prime gateway for the UK's trade and investment with the burgeoning China market.

"It has become abundantly clear that any lingering doubts (on Hong Kong) have been unfounded and our long-term faith in Hong Kong's future has not been misplaced," Prince Andrew told more than 100 business leaders at a luncheon speech.

"The UK is not ignoring Hong Kong in preference to dealing directly with the Chinese mainland," he said, "This has been evident in our relationship with and commitment to Hong Kong, which has developed and grown in strength since the handover."

Prince Andrew, who is also the Special Representative for UK Trade and Investment, arrived in Hong Kong Thursday night after his relationship building tour of Beijing, Shanghai and Xi'an on the Chinese mainland this week.

Quoting an economic increase of 7.3 percent in 2005 for Hong Kong, Prince Andrew said he was impressive toward its economy's return to stable and sustainable growth following the past several difficult years due to the Asian financial crisis.

He said Hong Kong continues to occupy a pivotal place for the UK as a major partner and business partner and he recognize Hong Kong's importance as a principal gateway into and out of the Chinese mainland, particularly the Pearly River Delta area.

He said the UK will fully committed to the Joint Declaration and the UK has to have a completely different relationship with Hong Kong by moving on to more cooperative activities such as the environment, education, legal and law enforcement.

Source: Xinhua