HK remains prosperous under "one country, two systems"

Source: Xinhuanet | 06-27-2007 16:43

Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Gao Siren said that "one country, two systems" has been proved a success and Hong Kong remained prosperous under the principle.

Before Hong Kong's return to the motherland, some people doubted whether the concept could be successfully carried out, said Gao when interviewed by Xinhua. Now a prosperous and stable Hong Kong has enhanced the confidence of Hong Kong compatriots and international community towards the concept, said Gao.

Gao said the "two systems", namely capitalism and socialism, have harmoniously existed in Hong Kong and the principle of "high autonomy of Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" has been fully implemented.

Under the precondition of "one country", Hong Kong's social and economic systems and life style remained unchanged, while its legal system also basically remained unchanged. The Hong Kong residents now enjoy more democratic rights than under the British control.

In the meantime, under the principle of "one country, two systems", Hong Kong has maintained its competitive edge. Hong Kong, with the help of the central government, had successfully dealt with such difficult experiences like Asian financial crisis and SARS since its return to the motherland in 1997, said Gao.

Currently, Hong Kong's economy is in its best performance of the past 20 years, enjoying "high growth and low inflation" for three consecutive years. It also enjoys a booming stock market and real estate market, a historically high tax income and a new low unemployment rate.

On the relations with the Chinese mainland, Gao said the central government pays close attention to the development of Hong Kong and gives an "all-out support" to the cooperation between Hong Kong and mainland areas.

In China's 11th Five-Year plan (2006-2010), the central government has clearly positioned Hong Kong still as a financial, trade and shipping center, said Gao.

Gao noted that though Hong Kong faces challenges of economic structure readjustment and cultivating new economic driving force, Hong Kong still has the advantages which no other big cities in mainland could compare with.

In the past more than 20 years of China's opening up, Hong Kong has been the largest source of overseas investment in the Chinese mainland. Capitals from Hong Kong or those from foreign countries via Hong Kong accounted for 41 percent of the country's total. The proportion is lower in recent years but Hong Kong is still listed No. 1 capital source for the Chinese mainland and the sum is still going up.　　

Editor:Du Xiaodan