7 -
"Those of us who hope to remain in public service in Hong Kong - and Vice Premier Qian Qi-chen said recently that he hoped all civil servants would do so - will remain true to the values and the culture of the place that has given us so much," said Mrs Chan.
The Chief Secretary said Hong Kong had been practising autonomy for generations.
"Hong Kong people are running Hong Kong and will be running Hong Kong after 1997," she said.
"We value the place we have built under the British umbrella and, as Chinese, we are determined that it should continue to thrive under the Chinese umbrella."
Mrs Chan said Hong Kong people would face up to the problems of the transition by remaining true to themselves.
"With goodwill, with trust, and with recognition of the enormous interests at stake, I believe that Hong Kong will indeed continue to thrive," said the Chief Secretary.
End
HK's debt market a rising star of Asia Pacific Region: FS
The Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang, said the Government would strive to work closely with the private sector in developing a world-class market infrastructure for Hong Kong's debt market.
Speaking at the Annual Dinner of Financial Executives Institute (HK) Ltd this (Thursday) evening, Mr Tsang said the Government's philosophy that private sector initiatives should remain the guiding force for the development of the debt market would continue.
"This is the best way to ensure an attractive investment environment for Hong Kong well in the 21st century," he said.
Mr Tsang noted that Hong Kong's thriving debt market had built up within a relatively short period of time a critical mass for further development.