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The setting up of the Beijing Office is one very important aspect of enhancing liaison with the motherland, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Tung Chee Hwa, said at a cocktail reception to celebrate the establishment of the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing (Beijing Office).
He said, "The future of Hong Kong closely intertwined with the future of our Country. The principle of 'One Country, Two Systems' has enabled us to make good use of the unlimited golden opportunities provided by the Mainland. To fully benefit from the development of our Country, the SARG (Special Administrative Region Government) has grasped the chance to further enhance our communication with the Mainland and expand our interface and economic cooperation."
He noted that official contact between the SAR and the Mainland had kept growing since the reunification and last year alone recorded more than 2,000 visits between the SARG and Mainland officials. He added that this had contributed to a cooperative relationship of good will and mutual trust.
He said, "The Director of the Beijing Office, Mr Bowen Leung, is the principle representative of the HKSAR Government in the Mainland. He together with 19 Hong Kong based officers are tasked to build a very crucial bridge to link up the CPG and the provincial/municipal authorities in the Mainland with the HKSARG."
Congratulating the Beijing Office's opening, the Vice-Premier of the State Council, Mr Qian Qichen, fully endorsed the view of Mr Tung, saying that he believed the establishment of the office would fortify the linkage between the motherland and the SAR.
He said that this would enhance the relationship between the SAR and the Central Government as well as the various mainland provinces and municipalities.
He believed this would also help promote exchanges on all fronts between Hong Kong and Mainland people.
He said, "ONE is ONE MISSION. Our number one mission is to build an important bridge linking up the HKSAR with the Central People's Government and municipal authorities, with an objective to promoting communication and increasing exchanges of information in various areas."
He added that as the HKSAR was an inalienable part of the PRC (People's Republic of China), there was a genuine need for Hong Kong to strengthen liaison and deepen mutual understanding, and that the setting up of the Beijing Office was a milestone in this direction.
"TWO means TWO-WAY FLOW. One of the major tasks of the Beijing Office is to provide accurate and updated information about the HKSAR to the Central People's Government and municipal administrations, so that the Mainland would be well briefed on the latest developments in Hong Kong, especially the progress of implementation of the principles of 'One Country, Two Systems', 'Hong Kong People Ruling Hong Kong' and 'High Degree of Autonomy'," he continued.
"On the other hand, we will keep the bureaux and departments of the SARG well informed of the developments in the Mainland, such as changes in policies and regulations. This kind of information will be valuable reference for the SARG. Moreover, we will assist in establishing constructive dialogues between Hong Kong and the Mainland on issues of common interest," he said.
Introducing the third function, he said, "THREE is THREE FOCUSES. These three focuses of work are reflected at the organisation set up of our office.
"We have three sections: First, the Economic Affairs, Trade and Liaison Section. This section is responsible for the communication and liaison work between the Mainland and Hong Kong, with one of the emphases on trade and economic affairs.
"Second, the Immigration Section. It mainly deals with immigration arrangements concerning the SAR, e.g. processing visa applications for entry to Hong Kong from citizens of other countries who are in the Mainland.
"Third, the Information and Office Administration Section. It is tasked to collect and transmit relevant information, handle media matters, publicise Hong Kong and manage the office," he said.
Mr Tung made use of the occasion to report on the performance of the HKSAR in the past 20 months.
He said, "Combined with the confidence of the Hong Kong residents in themselves and the patriotic love for our home and our Motherland, the principle of 'One Country, Two Systems' has been successfully put into practice in Hong Kong.
"Notwithstanding our economy has suffered from the unprecedented impact of the global financial turmoil, we managed to ride out the storm after all. Our ability to fight this turbulence has been partly attributable to our abilities, but the most important factor is the strong support of our Country which has given us special warmth of family reunion," he said.
"The Central Government has never interfered in the internal affairs of Hong Kong. Moreover, the Central Government has reiterated its determination to maintain the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong, at all costs. This has given all of us in Hong Kong a boost in confidence," he added.
The Beijing Office was today (Thursday) formally declared open by the Vice-Premier of the State Council, Mr Qian Qichen, the Chief Executive of the HKSAR, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, and the Director of the Beijing Office, Mr Bowen Leung, at the Great Hall of the People. The Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Mr Liao Hui, presided over the ceremony.
The Beijing Office is located at 21st Floor, Office Tower 1, Henderson Centre, 18 Jianguomen Nei Avenue, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100005. It is open from Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 12 pm and from 1 pm to 5.30 pm.
End/Thursday, March 4, 1999
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