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The Basic Law facilitated the smooth transition of sovereignty and guaranteed the continued prosperity of Hong Kong, the Acting Chief Executive, Mrs Anson Chan, said at the officiating ceremony of a roving exhibition on the Basic Law held today (April 10).

The exhibition covers the drafting history of the Basic Law, its main provisions and its implementation since the establishment of the Special Administrative Region (SAR). The roving exhibition will be staged in six major shopping arcades.

Speaking at the officiating ceremony, Mrs Chan recalled that before the transition many skeptics casted doubt on whether the concept of "One Country Two Systems" could indeed be implemented in practice. Others expected the Central Government would interfere into matters in Hong Kong.

"These views have been proved to be totally unfounded. The Central Government has lived up to its promise to the Hong Kong people ever since the establishment of the SAR three years ago. Even at the most critical moment during the worst financial crisis we have experienced, the responsibility and decision for dealing with the challenge still rested squarely with the SAR Government and Hong Kong people. This clearly reflects the successful implementation of the Basic Law", said Mrs Chan.

The Acting Chief Executive said that the Basic Law did not only concern the Government, legislators and the legal profession, it belonged to every Hong Kong resident and was closely related to our every day lives. The Basic Law gives legal guarantee to the existing social and economic systems, the various freedoms and human rights we enjoy. It also sets out the direction of political development. It is therefore important for every Hong Kong resident to gain a good understanding of the Basic Law.

In January 1998, the Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee, comprising representatives from various Government Bureaux and Departments and members of the community, was established to promote the Basic Law. The Committee provided funding and assistance to various Government Departments and community organizations to stage publicity activities. In the past two years, the Committee staged various promotion activities using different media and through school education and civic education. A series of events to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the promulgation of the Basic Law will be organized this year.

Mrs Chan was happy to note that according to a recent survey conducted by a consultant on behalf of the Committee, over 80% of the 4,700 respondents considered that the provisions of the Basic Law were important to their every day lives. The Acting Chief Executive said that the Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee and its working groups would continue their useful work.

"The successful implementation of the Basic Law does not only rely on the support of the Central Government. It is equally important for Hong Kong people to understand what a high degree of autonomy means, and to make good use of the special status of the SAR guaranteed under the Basic Law to maintain our competitive edge."

Photo : The Acting Chief Executive, Mrs Anson Chan, officiated at the Opening Ceremony of the Roving Exhibition on Basic Law at Plaza Hollywood. Mrs Chan, together with the Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, Mr Michael Suen (left), and the Acting Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Leo Kwan, switching on the screens to mark the start of the exhibition.

End/Monday, April 10, 2000

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