This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Find out more here.  
  • Delicious




Chinese President Confirms Support For Separate Hong Kong

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

09 May 2001

In Hong Kong yesterday to address the Fortune Global Forum, Chinese President Jiang Zemin yesterday reaffirmed Chinese support for the SAR and its leader Tung Chee-hwa. "Facts have proved that the Government, with Mr Tung as its Chief Executive, has the wisdom and capabilities to cope with complicated situations," he said.

President Jiang issued his firmest pledge yet that Hong Kong's autonomy would never be threatened. The long-term aim of the "one country, two systems" policy would remain unchanged, he said. "The Chinese Government will never waver in, or change, this policy."

The Chinese President complimented the SAR on its level of democracy: "Hong Kong people enjoy full freedom and more democratic rights than ever before. Much to our joy, people from all walks of life in Hong Kong have more and more identified themselves with the state and the nation."

During his 15-minute speech to the assembled 700 corporate leaders at the Forum, Mr Jiang described China's economic strengths and the opportunities for investment and trade that the country's growth would bring. He promised China would continue its economic reform policies and pledged further liberalisation of the domestic market.

"It is expected that China's GDP will have reached 12.5 trillion yuan (HK$11.8 trillion) by 2005," he said. "China's development will present huge business opportunities to the business communities of other countries.

"According to preliminary estimates, from 2001 to 2005 China will import US$1.4 trillion (HK$10.9 trillion) worth of equipment, technologies and products."

The President promised that after the country joined the WTO there would be "fair and transparent competition between Chinese and overseas enterprises" that was "consistent with international practice and China's own national conditions".

"China's entry into the WTO will instil new vitality into the economic growth of China as well as other countries and regions in Asia and beyond," he said.

Other top Chinese officials accompanying the President were at pains to emphasize that the recent difficulties between China and the US would not affect progress towards the country's WTO membership - they need to hope that the US Congress sees things the same way.

During his stay in Hong Kong, President Jiang had a private one hour meeting at his hotel with ex-President Bill Clinton, but no details of the meeting were forthcoming.

.

 

 






Write a comment