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Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, Miss Margaret Fong, presided over today・s (July 2, New York time) ceremony to open the NASDAQ stock market in New York to mark the first trading day following the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on July 1, 2007.
The Commissioner said in her remarks that under the concept of ：One Country, Two Systems；, Hong Kong has continued to thrive as a free, open and dynamic community.
She said, ：Over the past ten years, we have made important strides as a major financial, trading and logistics centre. The market capitalization of our stock market has risen five times to US$2.0 trillion; our total trade in goods and services has increased by 67% to US$740 billion; and our air cargo throughput has doubled to 3.6 million tonnes whilst our port cargo throughput has grown by 64% to 23.5 million TEUs.
：Our unwavering commitment to free trade has won us the notable distinction of the world・s freest economy and our respect for the rule of law has earned us the accolade as the most independent judicial system among economies in Asia."
"As Hong Kong moves into the next decade, we will consolidate our strengths and seek to maintain our position as the premier financial and trading hub for the Asia-Pacific region.
The Commissioner noted that Hong Kong will continue to reach out to exchanges round the world, and that she was particularly delighted to be at the opening bell ceremony at NASDAQ today to mark the 10th anniversary because NASDAQ was the first overseas exchange Hong Kong struck an alliance with."
A webcast of the NASDAQ Opening Bell ceremony can be accessed by visiting: http://www.nasdaq.com/reference/200707/market_open_070207.stm
Ends/Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Issued at HKT 07:52
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