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Interview: "You can feel the vibrant spirit of Hong Kong"  |
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"You can feel the vibrant spirit of people and there is a buzz about Hong Kong," British Consul General in Hong Kong James Hodge spoke of his experience in this glittering Asian city.
Hodge said that he was deeply impressed by Hong Kong people and their capacity in work. He said he had worked in Hong Kong for less than two years, but he had been very conscious of the developments of the city.
On the great changes over the past five years, Hodge said economy and doing business have always been the focus of Hong Kong people, but greater attention has also been paid in recent years to social issues, such as environment, education, health and welfare.
It is encouraging to see the SAR playing a constructive role on the international stage over the past years within the framework of the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, Hodge noted.
The concept of "One Country, Two Systems" is an everyday reality in Hong Kong. The rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, which are so vital to Hong Kong's success, are being upheld. Essential rights and freedoms are being protected, he added.
Hodge said that Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa deserved a lot of credit for the way in which the transition was made from the British to Chinese sovereignty and for the way in which "One Country, Two Systems" has been implemented smoothly.
"The accountability system now on debates is a sign of how the Hong Kong government can change, and we would like to see Hong Kong moves towards a democratic system. It accounts for Hong Kong people," he said.
Speaking of Hong Kong's economic development, the consul general also said that Hong Kong has encountered some economic problems, but this was largely due to the global downturn, especially the global economic slowdown since the terrorist attack on the United States on September 11, 2001. "It has nothing to do with the Hong Kong's hand-over," he emphasized.
"I am quite optimistic about the future of Hong Kong's economy," the consul general noted. He said once recovery sets in America, there is the chance that Hong Kong will soon start recovery.
Britain's first and foremost task now is to build a new, forward-looking relationship with Hong Kong, he said.
The relationship between UK and Hong Kong is a very special one, Hodge said. "We have close relations on political side, and we have also strong economic and commercial relationships," he added.
Commercially, Hong Kong is of huge importance to UK, since Hong Kong is its second largest export market in East Asia and the 14th biggest trade partner in the world, according to Hodge. The total trade volume between UK and Hong Kong in 2001 amounted to 2.9 billion pounds (U.S. dollars).
In addition, over 1,000 British companies have established themselves in Hong Kong, employing almost 10 percent of the local workforce. The British companies are bidding presence in Hong Kong's service sector, and most of them are in financial services, insurance and law.
The new efforts by the Hong Kong government to strengthen economic ties with the mainland provinces also benefit the British companies, Hodge said. A number of UK companies use their Hong Kong root to do business and move their investment to China's mainland.
"As the consul general, it is my job to encourage more British businesses to invest in Hong Kong and more Hong Kong young people to get education in UK," Hodge said.
Hodge, 59, started his career in foreign affairs in 1966, and before he came to Hong Kong, he served as British ambassador to Thailand.
Editor:Inner Wu
Source:Xinhuanet
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