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Following is the speech by the Acting Postmaster General, Mr. Allan Chiang at the issuing ceremony of "The 5th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" Commemorative Stamp today (July 1):

Mr Ho, distinguished guests and friends from the media,

Thank you for joining us today at the issuing ceremony of ¡§The 5th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region¡¨ Commemorative Stamp. We are particularly honoured to have Mr. Patrick HO to officiate for us despite his very busy schedule after the announcement of his appointment as Secretary for Home Affairs.

Today is the 5th Anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It is an opportune time for us to look back and plan ahead.

For the last five years, the Government has been emphasising on the importance of streamlining the civil service and enhanced productivity. Hongkong Post has made significant progress in these areas. On the expenditure side, we have made a spectacular achievement of 5.6% cut in two years against the overall Government target of 5% in three years. On the revenue side, we have been taking every opportunity to explore new business and have transformed Hongkong Post from a traditional postal service into a diversified business. Our start-up in logistics and electronic services is the best illustration of our entrepreneurship.

The Government pledges to serve the community with a committed, efficient and dedicated workforce. We support this mission wholeheartedly. Looking ahead, we pledge to deliver best quality service to our customers. The issue of sought-after and attractive stamps, of course, is one of the items on our agenda.

Among other things, stamps through their design serve as witness of historical events. To celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, four commemorative stamps on the motifs of Environmental Protection, Education, Infrastructure and Fireworks at the Victoria Harbour, which highlight the achievement of Hong Kong after the sovereignty reversion and project into a better future, are issued today. I hope you like them.

Thank you.

End/Monday, July 1, 2002

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