Source: CCTV.com

07-02-2007 10:32

Special Report:   HK 10 Years

In this forum that will determine aspects of the future of Hong Kong, the topic on everyone's lips is the beginning of the country's 11th 5-year-plan.In his policy address a month later, chief executive Donald Tsang makes the aims set forth in the plan abundantly clear.

"Since we have returned to the motherland, Hong Kong should play a more important role in the peaceful rise of China and become actively involved in world affairs so that Hong Kong will become an international metropolis that will make us proud," said Donald Tsang, Chief executive, Hong Kong Speical administrative Region.

"Since Hong Kong's return, and in the process of it's recent development, having a clearly defined economic objective is one of the government's major achievements, " said head of the Central Policy Unit, Government of the Hong Kong Speical Administrative Region.

On March 14th, 2006, the National People's Congress gives its approval to the 11th 5-year-plan, a road map of the country's social and economic development, and for people in the street the plan provides something to look forward to in the coming years. For the first time ever, the well being of Hong Kong and Macao has been listed in a five-year plan as part of the big picture.

The plan states that the central government will support Hong Kong in its development of banking, trade, tourism, information and other services. While this may not look like much on paper, the announcement has far-reaching significance and is quickly picked up by the media in Hong Kong, which considers the association of Hong Kong with the economic growth of the rest of China as gift for the SAR as it will provide Hong Kong with plenty of further opportunities. As part of a program of action published by the Hong Kong SAR government in connection with the 11th 5-year-plan, specialists from all walks of life have submitted 50 items of policy advice and more than 200 specific recommendations. Hong Kong is now on its way to becoming one of the engines that will drive the next phase of the Chinese economic miracle. Although still operating under a different system, the future of Hong Kong has now become part of the heartbeat of the nation.

This is the first aerial survey conducted by the Lands Department for 2007, but for photographer Tommy Au it is his 200th shoot since Hong Kong's return.