Tung: HK to benefit from strong, stable China
( 2003-10-02 11:11) (Xinhua)
A strong and stable China developing in a rapid and orderly way is not only a
sound safeguard for Hong Kong's stability and prosperity, it also opens up
unprecedented opportunities to build an even better Hong Kong, said Chief
Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Tung Chee Hwa on
Wednesday.
Addressing the National Day reception marking the 54th anniversary of the
founding of the People's Republic of China, Tung said the world has witnessed
two major events in China: the change of state leadership and the combat against
SARS this year.
With determination, Chinese leaders mobilized the whole nation to fight an
arduous and soul-stirring battle against the SARS disease, scoring a significant
victory at the last. Social and political stability throughout the country makes
for a vibrant outlook.
Building a well-off society for 1.3 billion people is an impressive landmark
in the history of the Chinese nation, said Tung. In March, the severe acute
respiratory syndrome (SARS) broke out in Hong Kong. Displaying amazing
resilience, the entire community joined with one heart to fight against a virus
that still baffles scientists.
Just as soon as the battle had been won, the SAR government and the community
at large, with the strong support of the central government and the Guangdong
provincial government, swiftly launched a series of initiatives aimed to
revitalize the economy, including early implementation of the Closer Economic
Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) and the expansion of the "individual visits to
Hong Kong" program, said Tung.
The SAR government has actively responded to the aspirations and concerns of
the citizens and seriously reviewed events with an eye to learning lessons from
the experience that can be applied to improving the governance, Tung said.
He said that the SAR government will do all it can to alleviate people's
hardships by fostering steady economic advancement; to redress public grievances
by improving governance; and to contribute further to the country and social
solidarity by working with the people to achieve a better future.
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