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"Our free and energetic press, with its 58 daily newspapers and numerous other publications. Our freely and fairly elected Legislative Council. Our influential, independent role in international bodies like the WTO. Our unwavering advocacy - as a matter of convinced and unshakeable principle and practice - of/free trade.
"You don't have to be as savvy as a Hong Kong entrepreneur to see the opportunities that lie ahead. Hong Kong is a bridge, a vital link between East and West and, specifically, between the West and China.
"Hong Kong represents the kind of Asia with which both West and East are comfortable. An Asia committed to open markets and open minds. An Asia committed to the rule of law and respect for human freedom. An Asia in which East and West mix so well - commercially, culturally, socially, intellectually. It offers, in that sense, a vision of the future for Asia.
"Will Hong Kong live up to these hopes? I believe passionately that it can do so and should do so, if it sticks to the formula that has served it so well until now.
"All our efforts in recent years have been designed to make sure that it can."
End
Striking the right balance on welfare
Hong Kong can take considerable pride in the progress made in developing its programmes to assist the deprived, the disabled and the disadvantaged, the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, said in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday).
Explaining the purpose of the welfare system in his 1996 Policy Address, Mr Patten said the benefits of Hong Kong's continuing economic growth did not flow evenly to everyone in the community.
said.
"Nor should we expect them to do so in an enterprise culture such as ours," he
"Quite deliberately, our welfare system does not exist to iron out inequalities. It does not exist to redistribute income.