Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, April 12, 2003
HK Makes Response to US-HK Policy Act Report
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government spokesman said Friday that HK welcomes the US - HK Policy Act Report's affirmation that Hong Kong remains one of the world's most open and free economies.
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government spokesman said Friday that HK welcomes the US - HK Policy Act Report's affirmation that Hong Kong remains one of the world's most open and free economies.
He said Hong Kong also welcomes the report's remarks that there is strong respect for the rule of law in Hong Kong.
He pointed out that the report recognized that "freedoms of speech, press, religion, assembly, association, and other basic human rights remained well respected and defended in Hong Kong. The press remained free and continued to publish a wide variety ofnews stories and opinions."
The report also noted that during the reporting period, from April 1, 2002 to March 31, 2003, Hong Kong SAR intensified its efforts to expand economic interaction with the Chinese mainland, especially in the Pearl River Delta, without undermining or interfering with the operation of the "one country, two systems" principle, the spokesman said.
The report reaffirmed international recognition of the high degree of autonomy which Hong Kong has enjoyed, that the dynamism of the city has been preserved and strengthened, and that Hong Kong has continued to play an important role in the international arena including in the global campaign against terrorism, he said.
Regarding constitutional development beyond 2007, the spokesmansaid, "In 2003, we have already embarked on a study within the government on the review of the constitutional developments after 2007."
The review will be guided by the Basic Law which provides that electoral arrangements shall be designed in the light of the actual situation in the HKSAR and in accordance with the principleof gradual and orderly progress, the spokesman said.