*******************************************************
Following is the translation of the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, at the contract-signing ceremony for the design of the new Guangdong Museum project this afternoon (September 1):
Mr Yim, Director-General Cao, the Honourable Mr Leung (Chun-ying), ladies and gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure to join you this afternoon to witness the signing of the contract for the design of the new Guangdong Museum project, signifying the participation of Hong Kong professionals in the construction of this significant cultural facility in Guangdong province.
The Guangdong Museum is one of the province's three landmark cultural facilities. Upon its completion in three years' time, the museum will become a key feature of the new cultural zone in Guangzhou. Rocco Design Limited of Hong Kong beat, as Director-General Cao said, world-class competitors from Europe, the United States, Japan and the Mainland with a winning design. This is a great success, bearing testimony to the world-class professionalism of Hong Kong architects. Congratulations to you all. We are so proud of you.
Mainland China is a huge market, attracting immense interest from the rest of the world. Large new buildings are emerging at an enormous speed, drawing famous architects from all over the world. The co-operation of Hong Kong and Guangdong in the construction of the museum marks a new phase for our construction industry as it moves across the boundary to explore new opportunities. There are encouraging prospects for our professional services sectors in the Mainland because of our close relationship with Guangdong and because CEPA creates wide business opportunities. CEPA has proved itself a major driver of our economy, but its real power will not be fully realised until our service sectors have become established in the Mainland market.
Since signing CEPA on June 29, 2003, we have been exploring with the Central Government ways of deepening and broadening the scope of co-operation between Hong Kong and the Mainland within the framework of the arrangement. Our efforts have paid off with the signing of the agreement of co-operation for the second phase of the implementation of CEPA last week. Under the deal, the Mainland has agreed to grant preferential treatment to Hong Kong enterprises in eight new service areas. And for 11 of the 18 service sectors that already receive preferential treatment, restrictions will be further liberalised. These include legal, construction and medical services.
We will strive to push forward with the new phases of CEPA to strengthen the further development and co-operation in professional service sectors. I have every confidence that with the speedy implementation of CEPA, our professionals will enjoy greater convenience, opportunities and prospects in the Mainland.
Hong Kong is Guangdong's closest partner in economic co-operation. The signing of the contract today with the Guangdong Museum will definitely forge closer ties between the two sides.
Lastly, I wish Rocco Design Limited and the Guangdong Museum great success in their co-operation on the construction of the museum.
Thank you.
Ends/Wednesday, September 1, 2004
NNNN
(