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The following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, at the Reception to Celebrate the Establishment of the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing today (Thursday):
Vice-Premier Qian
Distinguished Leaders,
My dear friends and
Honourable guests,
Today marks the official opening of the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing. We are indeed honoured to have Vice-Premier Qian here this afternoon to be our officiating guest. I would also like to give a warm welcome to other State, Provincial and Municipal leaders, Hong Kong members of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and all other honourable guests.
Today is the seventeenth day of the first month of the lunar calendar. I can still feel the festive atmosphere everywhere. At the onset of the Year of the Rabbit, let me wish you all excellent health and success in your endeavours.
On the first of July 1997, Hong Kong was reunited with the Motherland. During these 20 months since the reunification, we have been receiving strong support from our Country. Combined with the confidence of the Hong Kong residents in themselves and the patriotic love for our home and our Motherland, the principle of 'One Country, Two Systems' has been successfully put into practice in Hong Kong. Notwithstanding our economy has suffered from the unprecedented impact of the global financial turmoil, we managed to ride out the storm after all. Our ability to fight this turbulence has been partly attributable to our abilities, but the most important factor is the strong support of our Country which has given us special warmth of family reunion. The Central Government has never interfered in the internal affairs of Hong Kong. Moreover, the Central Government has reiterated its determination to maintain the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong, at all costs. This has given all of us in Hong Kong a boost in confidence.
The future of Hong Kong closely intertwined with the future of our Country. The principle of 'One Country, Two Systems' has enabled us to make good use of the unlimited golden opportunities provided by the Mainland. To fully benefit from the development of our Country, the SARG has grasped the chance to further enhance our communication with the Mainland and expand our interface and economic cooperation. As a matter of fact, the official contact between the SAR and the Mainland has kept growing since the reunification. Last year alone recorded more than 2 000 visits between the SARG and Mainland officials. This has contributed to a cooperative relationship of good will and mutual trust.
One very important aspect of enhancing our liaison with the Motherland is the setting up of the Beijing Office. When I visited Beijing at the end of 1997, I raised with Vice-Premier Qian the issue of setting up an office here. The Central Government gave my Administration a free hand to decide on the functions and the location and time of establishing the office. I would like to take this opportunity to express my heart-felt gratitude for the tremendous trust, full support and high degree of autonomy given by the Central leadership to us.
The Director of the Beijing Office, Mr Bowen Leung, is the principle representative of the HKSAR Government in the Mainland. He together with 19 Hong Kong based officers are tasked to build a very crucial bridge to link up the CPG and the provincial/municipal authorities in the Mainland with the HKSARG. I sincerely look forward to the generous support of the central leadership, State and Provincial officials to this new Office, to help it establish its work on a sound foundation.
Ladies and Gentlemen, 1999 carries a very special meaning to our country, to the Chinese people. This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the PRC, and Macao will soon be reunited with the Motherland too. The setting up of the Beijing Office comes timely to join in the joyous celebrations.
Under the leadership of President Jiang, our Country with one-fifth of the world's population is advancing into the 21st Century in a civilised and liberal spirit. Together we will build a rich and strong nation. We are indeed very fortunate that the reunification came in such a time. On the doorstep to the 21st Century, we are full of hopes and aspirations. With the strong support of our Motherland, we can continue to move forward notwithstanding difficulties. We will give of our best to work for a brighter future for both Hong Kong and our Country!
Now may I propose a toast to the establishment of the Beijing Office of the HKSAR Government, the successful implementation of "One Country, Two Systems", and the prosperity of our Motherland. Cheers!
End/Thursday, March 4, 1999
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