HK Is Best Place in Asia to Do Business, to Live: Interview

Home>>China

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, June 28, 2002

HK Is Best Place in Asia to Do Business, to Live: Interview

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

"When my wife and I first came to Hong Kong, we had planned to stay here for some three to five years. It turned out we enjoyed working and living here and decided to remain," said President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong Frank Martin after a 27-year living experience in Hong Kong.

From business perspective, Martin pointed out, Hong Kong's "rule of law, clean government, independent judiciary, free flow ofinformation, open and transparent regulations, commitment to free trade, low taxation, well regulated financial market" all contribute to the fact that Hong Kong is the best place in Asia todo business.

According to Martin, the United States is Hong Kong's second largest trading partner, with the trade volume reaching 25 billionU.S. dollars a year. By the end of last year, there are 2,300 members in the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong representing about 1,000 companies, whose total direct investment in Hong Kong amounted to 23.3 billion dollars.

He noted that the young Hong Kong Special Administrative Region(SAR) government has successfully put into practice the "unprecedented" "one country, two systems" policy.

"For example," said Martin, "Hong Kong people continue to enjoyfreedom as guaranteed under the Basic Law, such as the freedom of assembly, of speech and of religion."

Martin made it clear that Hong Kong's economy has been impactedby external forces which were out of the control of the HKSAR government. He believed that the HKSAR government has done everything it could to improve the economy, and their performance in general would win "high marks."

A survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong last December predicted that Hong Kong's economic recovery would begin in 2003, he added.

Moreover, Martin expected to see an increase in foreign multinational and even medium-sized businesses in Hong Kong as Hong Kong is still the preferred location for regional headquarters.

The chamber president reiterated that the chamber has always supported the policy of engagement between the United States and China based on mutual respect, as he personally believes that the best way to resolve differences between the two countries is to have a frank and candid discussion.

Martin said that every year members of the chamber would go to Washington to have dialogues with the U.S. congressional leaders and Administration officials about the importance of maintaining good Sino-U.S. relations. They would also encourage the latter to visit Hong Kong to see the wonderful city for themselves as well as witness the fact that the "one country, two systems" policy is working very well.

From personal point of view, Martin thought Hong Kong is a truly vibrant and interesting city, and a wonderful place to live.He enjoys the scenery in Hong Kong as well as the people and food here.

Martin, who has shouldered quite a few social responsibilities,expressed belief that people should volunteer their time and experience to help make Hong Kong a even better place to live.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Hong Kong Rated World's Freest Economy

Interview: HKSAR to Uphold Highest Standard of Law

>> Full Coverage

Englishman Hired as Chief Advisor of Yunnan Provincial Government ( 74 Messages)

Mysterious Pipes Left by "ET" Reported from Qinghai ( 8 Messages)

Premier Zhu Discusses Economic Issues with Experts ( 2 Messages)

Uncle Sam's Policy to Cross-Straits Ties against Its Own Interests ( 46 Messages)

China Strikes Hard on Drug Crimes ( 4 Messages)

China to Boost the Service Sector to Create More Jobs ( 7 Messages)