How 'one country, two systems' ensures Hong Kong's prosperity and stability
Song Zhe says the central government has spared no effort to support Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and will continue to do so through its work in foreign affairs
The white paper on the practice of the "one country, two systems" policy in Hong Kong, released by the State Council recently, made a comprehensive review of Hong Kong's progress since the handover in its efforts to expand its external ties and gain a competitive edge in the world.
Foreign affairs is an important symbol of state sovereignty and a key component of the central authority's exercise of jurisdiction over Hong Kong in accordance with the law. The commissioner's office has all along implemented earnestly the central authority's principles and policies on foreign affairs related to Hong Kong. We do our utmost to support Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.
Having served in Hong Kong for over two years now, I feel deeply that a lot cries out to be done to serve the interests of Hong Kong. It is a joy to make a modest contribution to its continued development, and to the protection of lawful rights of fellow Hongkongers.
Over the past 17 years, the central government has successfully supported Hong Kong in expanding external exchanges and cooperation. The city's international influence is on the rise. It is poised to be one of the world's most free, dynamic and prosperous economies.
From the 1997 Asian financial crisis, to the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic and the international financial crisis in 2008, whenever risks or challenges face Hong Kong, the central government has always given the city firm support. Efforts are made in Hong Kong-related foreign affairs to ensure its economic and social development, and to keep and lift its position as a world financial, trade and shipping centre.
For 17 years, these efforts have been fruitful. Some of them are well known to the people of Hong Kong while others may be less well-known, and they include the following.
The central government authorises Hong Kong to sign agreements with many countries on matters such as the avoidance of double taxation, trade promotion and protection, and criminal judicial assistance. Thanks to the central government's push, the Hague Conference on Private International Law opened its Asia-Pacific regional office in Hong Kong. All this provides a strong legal guarantee for Hong Kong to develop external cooperation.
