"One country, Two systems" helps Hong Kong keep uniqueness

Source: | 06-27-2007 09:53

The "one country, two systems" concept had worked in Hong Kong and helped it maintain its uniqueness as an international city, said Jean-Pierre Thebault, consul general of France in Hong Kong.

"It's my personal belief that 'One country, Two systems' is a brilliant idea and the best possible way at that time to solve problems. And probably in the future it will be studied as an example of very wise diplomacy and very wise policy," he said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

"It's not only a perfect example of win-win situation, but even better -- a triple win situation -- it's a win for Hong Kong definitely, a win for the Chinese mainland and also a win for the international level," he said.

Since 1997 when Hong Kong returned to the motherland, the city experienced some bumpy moments such as the Asian financial crisis, but Hong Kong's economy rebounded at the end of 2003 followed by quick growth, he said.

"It's not a little achievement to overcome the financial crisis. Hong Kong society has the ability to adapt," the French diplomat said.

He attributed Hong Kong's success largely to the sophistication and pragmatism of the society, and its close relationship with the Chinese mainland.

"I think the general mood of the public became completely positive just by 2005," the consul general said.

He acknowledged that there were some anxieties about Hong Kong before 1997. "But to my knowledge, none of the French companies left Hong Kong in 1997," he said.

And since 1997, the number of French companies in Hong Kong has doubled to 600, with the presence of major French banks, construction companies and luxurious goods shops.

Meanwhile, the population of the French community in Hong Kong has also doubled, he said, noting there are now about 8,000 French people living in Hong Kong, making it the largest single French community in any Asian cities.

"Those figures show our confidence for Hong Kong, and our feeling of well-being in Hong Kong is very high," he said.

Hong Kong is the 7th biggest economic partner of France in the world, and it is France's second most important trading partner in terms of profits in Asia.

"The trade balance with Hong Kong is in France's favor, because we sell much more than we buy here," he said, citing French luxurious goods as an example. The goods attracted not only local buyers but also those from the Chinese mainland and neighboring countries.

In the trade sector, French companies are using Hong Kong as a gateway into not only China but also the southeast Asian region, he said.

"I'm a Hong Kong optimist. I see no reason so far for Hong Kong not to continue to be a major gateway to the Chinese mainland and the southeast Asia, and not to continue to be flourish," he said.

France has a long presence in Hong Kong, and in 2008, France will celebrate the 160th anniversary of French presence in Hong Kong and the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the French consulate in the city.

"We have presence in trade and all kinds of activities in Hong Kong. In every aspect of Hong Kong, you can find French people, French companies and French individuals," he said, stressing that France's relations with Hong Kong are not merely business-oriented.

He cited the annual Le French May arts festival in Hong Kong as an example, saying that since its inception in 1993, the festival has become an important platform for cultural exchanges between France and Hong Kong.

Since 1993, more than 300 events of high international standard have been presented in Hong Kong, including visual arts, music, performing arts, cinema and gastronomy events.

And this year's events, which last from April to July, have been given special attention, with more famous French artists coming to Hong Kong and more performances being presented.

"This specific attention is also a way for Le French May to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland," he said.

Hong Kong not only has many business talents but also artists as well. "I'm expecting Hong Kong at some stage to lead the cultural field, becoming an international cultural center," he said.

Jean-Pierre Thebault has two children, and both were born after he had assumed the post of the consul general in Hong Kong in 2005.

"To have children born in Hong Kong is already a privilege, and it's really a good place to raise children," he said.

Editor:Du Xiaodan