People's Daily, the flagship newspaper of the Communist
Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, ran an editorial headlined
Great Conception and Successful Implementation yesterday to mark
the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China.
Hailing the "one country, two systems" policy, the editorial
says Hong Kong has enjoyed a high degree of autonomy and witnessed
continuous prosperity and stability in the decade since it returned
to the motherland.
Over the past decade, the central government unswervingly
implemented the policies of "one country, two systems" and "Hong
Kong people govern Hong Kong" and spared no effort to ensure the
development of Hong Kong, the editorial says.
Meanwhile, the editorial says, the government of the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region led the people of the region to
successfully overcome difficulties brought along by the Asian
financial crisis, the SARS epidemic and the impact of adverse
changes in the external economic environment.
The editorial noted that the past decade has witnessed Hong
Kong's continuing role as a prosperous free port, a center of
international finance, trade and shipping, and one of the freest
and most open economies in the world.
The success of a series of major international events held in
Hong Kong during the past decade, such as the World Bank annual
conference and the 2006 World Telecommunications Expo, proved the
international community's acknowledgement of Hong Kong's progress
since 1997 and its confidence in the region.
Noting that the mainland's development has helped drive Hong
Kong's economy, the editorial says the special administrative
region has also contributed to the mainland's economic growth by
serving as a platform for the mainland to attract international
investment, technology and managerial experience.
The editorial points out that Hong Kong enjoys a geographical
advantage and has a golden opportunity to achieve greater success
in development. It also urges Hong Kong people to seek common
ground while putting aside their differences and to work together
with the entire nation for a brighter future.
(China Daily July 2, 2007)