US Report Praises Hong Kong's Success After 1997The US State Department issued a report on Hong Kong Wednesday, praising Hong Kong for its success in autonomy, political system, civil service as well as judicial and legal development.The report said Hong Kong under Chinese sovereignty has remained one of the freest cities in Asia, with its government committed to advancing Hong Kong's distinct way of life. "... , the Government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) has generally kept its commitments to respect Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy," it said. The report, which reviewed Hong Kong's progress in the period from April 1, 2000 to July 31, 2001, said Hong Kong remained a free society that extended basic civil liberties to its citizens. "Hong Kong's civil service remained independent, and many officers initially appointed to senior posts by the British remained in key posts," it said. "Hong Kong's export control system remained robust. Hong Kong continued to play an important role as a regional finance center, actively participating in international efforts to rebound from the Asian regional recession while managing successfully the turn- around of its own economy," it noted. The report said, "The Hong Kong press remained free and continued to comment critically on most issues, including the PRC and its leaders, and the Hong Kong Government." It pointed out that the rule of law and an independent judiciary remained in place as pillars of Hong Kong's free and open society. "Hong Kong's political system continued to evolve. The legislature and free press utilized public fora to demand and obtain government accountability," it said. In the end, it said the United States has substantial interests in Hong Kong and supports the concept of Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy under Chinese sovereignty. |
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