Speech by the Acting Chief Executive

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Following is the speech by the Acting Chief Executive, Miss Elsie Leung, at the "50th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China" Special Stamps Issuing Ceremony today (Friday):

Mr Chiang, ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure for me to officiate at the "50th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China" commemorative stamps issuing ceremony.

Today's National Day's Celebration is particularly meaningful because it marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China as well as our last National Day in this century. All people in China can look back with pride on the country's achievements in the past half century and greet the new millennium with confidence and exultation.

Our country's impressive developments and achievements represent fifty years of unremitting effort. The improvement in people's livelihood, the advances in technology and economic growth, the strengthening of diplomatic relations with other countries and the rise of international status all prove that our country has become a major world power.

Despite the challenges we have encountered during the two years after the reunification, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has continued to thrive. The concepts of "one country, two systems" and "Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong" are fully implemented in accordance with the provisions in the Basic Law.

I cannot agree with Mr Chiang more that the commemorative stamps issued today symbolise the brilliant future of our country and the HKSAR. The choice of colour and the design reflect also the drive and optimistic character of the Chinese people. I believe that these very attractive stamps would definitely be well received.

In closing, I wish our country even greater success and the HKSAR continuous prosperity and stability in the century to come.

Thank you.

End/Friday, October 1, 1999

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Photo: The Acting Chief Executive, Ms Elsie Leung, officiated at the issuing ceremony of "50th Anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China" special stamp issue at General Post Office. Picture shows Ms Leung stamping the blow-up first day cover on the backdrop to mark the issuing of the special stamps.