15-year journey: Hong Kong's return to China
| Latest News |
| ●President Hu says Hong Kong should enhance competitiveness Chinese President Hu Jintao said on July 1 Hong Kong should enhance its competitiveness amid increasingly intense regional and international competition. ●President Hu calls for unity between mainland, Hong Kong ●President Hu wraps up HK trip ●Hu attends HK celebrations |
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●President Hu inspects PLA garrison in Hong Kong Chinese President Hu Jintao inspected the Chinese People's Liberation Army ( PLA) Garrison in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ( HKSAR) at Shek Kong barracks on June 29. ●President Hu inspects Kai Tak public housing development project Chinese President Hu Jintao had an inspection tour of the Kai Tak public housing development project in Hong Kong on June 30. |
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●President Hu attends gala show for 15th return anniversary in HK Accompanied by outgoing Hong Kong Chief Executive Tsang Yam-kuen and other high-ranking officials, Chinese President Hu Jintao smilingly walked into the theater at the waterfront Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre amid warm applause, where a grand gala marking the 15th anniversary of the territory's return to China was on stage at the night of June 30. ●Stars gather at gala show for 15th return anniversary in HK |
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●Chinese VP views exhibition marking HKSAR founding anniversary Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping viewed an exhibition titled "Towards A Better Future: Achievements In the Fifteen Years Since the Founding of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" in Beijing, capital of China, June 27, 2012. The exhibition opened on June 27 in Beijing at the National Museum of China. |
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●HK to issue anniversary stamps Hongkong Post will issue a stamp sheetlet and other philatelic products for celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on July 1, the city's government announced on June 27. ●Hong Kong honors 295 people for contribution Former Chief executive of the HKSAR Donald Tsang has awarded 295 people in this year's Honors List, the city's government announced on June 30. |
| New HK Gov't |
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Leung Chun-ying addresses swearing-in ceremony of 4th-term gov't of HKSAR Hong Kong's new chief executive Leung Chun-ying on July 1 said the new government will lead the city to develop the economy, improve people's livelihood, promote democracy and build a more prosperous, progressive and righteous society. |
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State Council appoints new HKSAR gov't lineup China's State Council, or Cabinet, on June 28 appointed the lineup of principal officials of the fourth-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), in line with the Basic Law of the HKSAR. |
Speeches:
●Hu urges new HKSAR gov't to promote harmony, stability
Chinese President Hu Jintao on July 1 urged the just-inaugurated government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) to promote social harmony and stability.
●New HK chief sworn in
The new chief executive of Hong Kong has vowed to uphold the "one country, two systems" principle and has committed to improving citizens' livelihoods during the inauguration ceremony on Sunday, as Chinese President Hu Jintao has urged.
●Economy, democracy, livelihood highlighted in Leung's inaugural speech
Hong Kong's new chief executive Leung Chun-ying said the new government will lead the city to develop the economy, improve people's livelihood, promote democracy and build a more prosperous, progressive and righteous society.
●New HK gov't team vows to improve people's livelihood, maintain stability
Hong Kong Chief Executive-elect Leung Chun-ying and his newly appointed governing team made debut on Thursday, vowing to improve people's livelihood, seek changes while preserving stability of the city in the coming five years.
Profile: Leung Chun-ying, new chief executive of HKSAR
| View Points |
Comments:
●Mainland-backed HK has more momentum
Hong Kong's return hasn't been accompanied by turbulence and a deteriorating economy, which are typical in transitions of colonies. The overall political structure has been kept, ensuring a smooth shift, which is a blessing.
●Fifteen years on, Hong Kong quests for new ways to integrate
It has been 15 years since Hong Kong's return to China. The practice of the "one country, two systems" principle in Hong Kong has proven to be a success, and Hong Kong people's recognition of the benefits of the system has greatly improved as well.
●Fifteen years on, Hong Kong prospers
Two years before Hong Kong's return to China, the Fortune magazine carried a bold prediction - The return would bring about the city's death. The city, however, is thriving after 15 years of its return from the colonial rule of Britain.
●Two systems have produced two very different sets of values
In general the practice of "one country, two systems" has been successful for the past 15 years, as evidenced by Hong Kong's continual economic development and social stability.
But there are sharp differences among Hong Konger as how to implement the concept in the future. There are obviously in Hong Kong a camp that is pro-"one country" and a camp that is pro-"two systems."
Dialogue:
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Leung Chun-ying: HK takes stock of strong 15-year journey July 1 will be the 15th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China. Leung Chun-ying, incoming chief executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, won the election for the nomination with 689 votes out of 1,200 three months ago. What are his plans for Hong Kong? How can ties to the mainland be strengthened? People's Daily (PD) talked to Leung on these issues. |
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Tung Chee-hwa: I'm confident of Hong Kong's future Tung Chee-hwa, first chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), has said Hong Kong is blessed with good future for two key reasons- - the advantage of the "one country, two systems" principle and the nation's powerful support for Hong Kong. |
Weibo Voices:
@HK_Street: Some Western media once predicted that Hong Kong was doomed when it returned to China 15 years ago. But now they have taken this back.
If you walk on the streets of Hong Kong, you will see why. Before the handover, Hong Kong's GDP per capita was $20,000, and now it has reached $30,000.
@SU-N.PeopleLeft: Fifteen years ago, mainland entrepreneurs were humble compared to their Hong Kong counterparts. But now, they are on the same level. The shared language and culture have made it possible for mainland business people to learn from Hong Kong. Hong Kong has helped a lot with the growth of the mainland's private entrepreneurship.
@WarriorClan: Hong Kong has been returned to China for 15 years? I just cannot feel it. Because every time I go there, I still have to apply for a special permit in order to be allowed to enter this Special Administrative Region.
Due to work, I have to visit Hong Kong dozens of times each year, and the application fee has become quite expensive. But it's not just money that matters. It feels weird that you have to apply for a permit to visit part of your own country's territory.
@Zheng_Mingmei: China's Central Television has been broadcasting documentaries recently to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China. Although I only had time to watch two episodes, I was impressed by the SAR government's management experience and its good governance as shown on TV.
The SAR government's working attitude and its well-allocated expertise have laid good foundation for Hong Kong's prosperity over the past 15 years.
I would suggest people who care about urban planning see these documentaries or actually go to Hong Kong to see for themselves. We should also learn from the quality of Hong Kong public service.
@BurceWu99: It has been 15 years since Hong Kong returned to China. As one of the Four Little Asian Tigers, Hong Kong's development over this period has been dissimilar to its three counterparts, South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore. Its high-tech industry has barely achieved any significant progress, but its financial, logistic and retailing industries have done well.
This indicates that Hong Kong's influence on the mainland's economy is no longer as strong as it was 15 years ago, when it played a critical role in the development of many sectors, especially in introducing new technology
Hong Kong will have to find a new role in the rising Guangdong-Hong Kong economic circle, as Shenzhen and Guangzhou is now the prime location for high-tech industry.
| 15 years of HK |
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