10th anniversary of HK Basic Law commemorated
6/6/2007 10:26
China held a seminar this morning to commemorate the 10th anniversary of
implementing the Basic Law of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress
Wu Bangguo and Vice President Zeng Qinghong attended the seminar.
"Hong
Kong has retained its international features, rule by law and various kinds of
freedom guaranteed by the Basic Law after its return (to the motherland)," Hong
Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang said.
"With state care and assistance,
we have strived to display our unique advantages and made significant
achievements widely recognized by the international community," Tsang said.
Enacted in accordance with the nation's Constitution, the Basic Law
specifies the guidelines of "one country, two systems," "Hong Kong people
administering Hong Kong" with a high degree of autonomy, Tsang noted.
"The Basic Law has laid a solid foundation for Hong Kong's economic and
social development and the improvement of people's livelihood," he said.
He said Hong Kong will strengthen cooperation with the mainland against
the backdrop of global competition.
Hong Kong should expand the network
with the mainland's provinces and municipalities and join hands with inland
cities to avoid vicious competition, he said.
The chief executive said
the Hong Kong's trade offices, set up in Shanghai and Chengdu last year, have
promoted Hong Kong's economic and trade cooperation with the inland areas.
To reinforce its position as an international financial center of Asia,
Hong Kong needs to get support from the inland areas and enhance interaction and
complementation in the financial sector, he said.
Hong Kong will
maintain its role as an international metropolitan, he said, adding Hong Kong
will adopt an open and active attitude to enhance contacts with international
community in terms of trade, education and culture.
Authorized by the Basic Law, Hong Kong can handle its external affairs and
the central government has always supported the region to carry out exchanges
with other countries and regions, which is very important to consolidate the
region's role as an international metropolitan, he said.
Xinhua news
|
