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Interview: HK is the best place in Asia to do business, to live  |
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"When my wife and I first came to Hong Kong, we had planned to stay here for some three to five years. It turned out we enjoyed working and living here and decided to remain," said Frank Martin, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong after a 27-year living experience in the region.
From business perspective, Martin noted, Hong Kong's "rule of law, clean government, independent judiciary, free flow of information, open and transparent regulations, commitment to free trade, low taxation, well regulated financial market" all contribute to the fact that Hong Kong is the best place in Asia to do business.
According to Martin, the United States is Hong Kong's second largest trading partner, with the trade volume reaching 25 billion U.S. dollars a year. By the end of last year, there are 2,300 members in the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong representing about 1,000 firms, whose total direct investment in Hong Kong amounted to 23.3 billion dollars.
He acknowledged that the young Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government has successfully put into practice the "unprecedented" "one country, two systems" policy.
"For example," said Martin, "Hong Kong people continue to enjoy freedom as guaranteed under the Basic Law, such as the freedom of assembly, of speech and of religion."
Martin made it clear that Hong Kong's economy has been impacted by external forces which were out of the control of the HKSAR government. He believed that the HKSAR government has done everything it could to improve the economy, and their performance in general would win "high marks."
A survey conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong last December predicted that Hong Kong's economic recovery would begin in 2003, he added.
Moreover, Martin expects to see an increase in foreign multinational and even medium-sized businesses in Hong Kong as it is still the preferred location for regional headquarters.
The chamber president reiterated that his chamber has always supported the policy of engagement between the United States and China based on mutual respect, as he personally believes that the best way to resolve differences between the two countries is to have a frank and candid discussion.
Martin said that every year members of the chamber would go to Washington to have dialogues with the U.S. congressional leaders and Administration officials about the importance of maintaining good Sino-U.S. relations. They would also encourage the latter to visit Hong Kong to see the wonderful city for themselves as well as witness the fact that the "one country, two systems" policy is working very well.
From personal point of view, Martin thought Hong Kong is a truly vibrant and interesting city, and a wonderful place to live. He enjoys the scenery in Hong Kong as well as the people and food here.
Martin, who shoulders quite a few social responsibilities, expressed his belief that people should volunteer their time and experience to help make Hong Kong an even better place to live.
Editor:Inner Wu
Source:Xinhua
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