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Asia's world city
   

International Events

Hong Kong played host to two major events in the past year - the FORTUNE Global Forum and the World Newspaper Congress.

President Jiang Zemin was the guest of honour at the invitation-only FORTUNE event attended by hundreds of the world's leading business executives, policy makers and academics. Other prominent figures at the event from May 8-10 included the Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and former US President Bill Clinton.

 

   

The theme of the Forum was 'Next Generation Asia'. Topics discussed included emerging technologies, Asian conglomerates in transition, youth culture, consumer trends, outlook for capital markets and the rapidly evolving changes in China.

Speaking at the opening dinner, President Jiang Zemin said the holding of the event in Hong Kong would give participants a chance to 'see for yourselves a new look Hong Kong under the principles of 'One Country, Two Systems', a new Hong Kong that is dynamic and thriving'.

 

   

"Since Hong Kong's return to China,
its previous capitalist system and way of life have remained unchanged," President Jiang told Forum delegates.

"Hong Kong has successfully overcome the impact of the Asian financial crisis . . .
I believe the Mainland will continue to enjoy sustained, rapid and sound economic development and that Hong Kong will continue to improve its economic system, and maintain and strengthen its important role as a bridge between the Mainland and the world market. The Hong Kong economy is bound to have an even broader prospect for development."

The 54th World Newspaper Congress from June 3-6 brought together more than 800 newspaper executives from around the globe to discuss the latest challenges facing the print media.

The Congress, organised by the World Association of Newspapers (WAN), was held in conjunction with the 8th World Editors Forum and Info Services Expo, a showcase of new products and services by suppliers to the newspaper industry.

The 2001 Congress was somewhat of a coup for the SAR as there are no Hong Kong industry groups in the WAN which usually does not hold meetings outside its membership base. It was also the first Congress held in an Asian city outside of Japan.

As was expected, the FORTUNE Global Forum also attracted a considerable number of protestors eager to publicise their messages through international media attending the meeting.

Around 4 800 people took part in 56 public meetings and processions in the run-up and during the FORTUNE Forum. Unlike demonstrations by anti-globalisation activists at other similar high-profile economic gatherings (e.g Seattle, Davos, Melbourne, Quebec) the vast majority of protests in Hong Kong were held in an orderly manner. There were no violent protests nor destruction of any property in most cases.

 

   

Police were criticised by some for requiring that protests be carried out at designated areas away from the main Forum venue. However, the overriding concern was to ensure the safety and unhindered movement of the dignitaries and VIPs attending the forum and to minimise the disruption to the daily lives of Hong Kong people.

Among the demonstrators were some 400 Falun Gong members, who staged 15 rallies. Falun Gong members in Hong Kong are free to exercise and demonstrate subject to compliance with the law.

Following the FORTUNE Global Forum, the Secretary for Security, Mrs Regina Ip, said: "The Falun Gong continues to enjoy all the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Basic Law and our Bill of Rights despite the fact the sect has been banned in the Mainland. If this is not 'One Country, Two Systems' in action then what is?”

The activities of the Falun Gong in Hong Kong have generated considerable comment. The Chief Executive Mr Tung and Mrs Ip have said that a close watch would be kept on their activities. On June 14, Mr Tung told the Legislative Council that at this stage the government was not considering enacting anti-cult legislation.

Certain persons were refused entry into Hong Kong around the time of the Forum, which required special security measures to ensure the safety of the heads of state and other VIPs attending, as well as the smooth functioning of the event. This action caused concern in some quarters.

The government explained that the special security arrangements were no different from precautions taken in any other city hosting events of this nature. Refusal of entry of people whose presence in Hong Kong was not considered in the public interest was part of the overall strategy.

The government was satisfied that in all cases, the Director of Immigration exercised his legal powers properly. The actions were fully consistent with international agreements and norms.

A New District for the Arts

A new, integrated arts and entertainment district is to be developed on a prime, 40-hectare waterfront site at West Kowloon, facing the famous Hong Kong skyline.

The objectives are to help Hong Kong enhance its position as one of Asia's leading centres for the arts, culture and entertainment, as well as create a new look for Victoria Harbour.

A Concept Plan Competition, with total prize money of US$885,000, has been launched to help devise an overall planning vision for the area, and to generate innovative and viable ideas that would shape the area into a unique attraction for the local community and visitors.

Chairman of the 10-member jury is Lord Rothschild, a Jury Member of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, while the Honorary Special Adviser is the renowned architect, Mr I M Pei. The competition results will be released in the first quarter of 2002.

 

 

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