CPPCC Members on Role of Hong Kong, MacaoMembers of the Ninth CPPCC National Committee from Hong Kong and Macao voiced their opinions on giving full play to the role of the two regions as a window and bridge for China's foreign economic cooperation Friday.They made the remark at the third plenary meeting of the on- going Fourth Session of the Ninth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) held in the national capital Friday afternoon. Member Walter Kwok Ping-Sheung, chairman of the Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd., said that Hong Kong has always served as a window and a fortress for China's foreign economic exchanges over the past five decades and more, especially in the past 20 years since China adopted the reform and opening policies. He said that in the past two decades, around 60 percent of the overseas capital flowing into China's mainland has come from Hong Kong. He said that at present, Hong Kong's economy has got rid of the influence of the Asian financial crisis and is expecting a new development period. In 2000, the region's GDP rose by 10.5 percent, a record high in the past 13 years, and its foreign trade went up by 20 percent. Hong Kong attracted 25 billion U.S. dollars in foreign investment last year, ranking second in the world. "We are confident of the prosperity of the motherland and Hong Kong," he said. Liang Hua, a member from Macao, stressed the role of the region as a window and bridge for China's foreign exchanges, and the need to fully implement the policy of "One Country, Two Systems". He said that doing a good job of developing Macao's economy and maintaining a good social order there not only has a bearing on Macao's long-term prosperity, but also can set an example and accumulate experience for settling the Taiwan issue. He also voiced his opinions on the introduction of personnel from the mainland into Macao, economic cooperation between Macao and Guangdong Province, and with neighboring regions. |
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