China Reiterates Support For Hong Kong

by Mary Swire, Tax-News.com, Hong Kong

02 July 2002

Speaking here in Hong Kong at the weekend the Chinese President, Jiang Zemin reiterated the mainland's support for the SAR, expressing satisfaction at the progress achieved so far in implementing the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle.

In a meeting with HK Chief Executive, Tung Chee-hwa, the Chinese leader announced that the aim of the Beijing authorities is to continue to support the SAR, and to help it to once again achieve and maintain a prosperous and stable economy.

Responding to Mr Jiang's pledge, Mr Tung observed that the rapprochement between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong has come at the right time, and that China's speedy economic development and rising status in the international arena are likely to be of great benefit to the SAR.

However, as the jurisdiction celebrated the fifth anniversary of its Special Administrative Region status, and the inauguration of its second-term government yesterday, not everyone was as full of praise for Hong Kong's Chief Executive as the Chinese leader.

Speaking to the ABC's Asia Pacific radio station, Opposition MP, Emily Lau blamed Hong Kong's drooping export market on Beijing and Tung Chee-hwa:

'I think the people's feeling after judging, looking at Mr Tung for all these years, is that he is not keen to look after the interests of the people. He is there to protect the interest of Beijing and of his crony friends,' she told the AM current affairs programme.

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