Hong Kong's media have remained free and robust since the region's return to the motherland in 1997, said Administrative Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Donald Tsang on Friday.
Addressing a prize presentation ceremony of the Hong Kong Best Press Award organized by the Newspaper Society of Hong Kong, Tsang said despite what many doomsayers predicted before 1997, Hong Kong 's media over the past four years have reported and commented freely and critically on things happening in Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland, China's Taiwan and foreign countries.
Tsang said he welcomes critical observations and sharp comments, since they are "an important driving force" which gives officials in the public service the impetus to improve and strive for higher standards.
"In my view, the press is very much the icon of Hong Kong's commitment to remaining in the league of open and civilized world class cities," he added.
Hong Kong's media have remained free and robust since the region's return to the motherland in 1997, said Administrative Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Donald Tsang on Friday.