City's position as finance, shipping and trade centre can't be replaced, he says
Hong Kong's position as a finance, shipping and trade centre cannot be replaced because it has a free economy, international connections and the rule of law, Premier Wen Jiabao said yesterday.
Mr Wen also said he hoped Hong Kong society would become more harmonious.
The premier believed the city had unique strength with the backing of the motherland, but said its development had entered a critical phase in that the city needed to seize opportunities for further growth.
'Hong Kong has the freest economy in the world, extensive international links, a full-fledged legal system and expertise in managing the economy,' he said. 'Its position as a financial centre, a shipping centre and a trade centre cannot be replaced by other areas.'
His comments at news conference followed Tuesday's stern warning by a vice-chairman of the NPC standing committee, Cheng Siwei, to Hongkongers to stop 'messing around' with politics to avoid being marginalised.
There have long been fears that with the speedy development of mainland cities, especially Shanghai and cities in the Pearl River Delta, Hong Kong's strength as an international finance, aviation, logistics and services hub could be sidelined.
