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Mr Miller was addressing the Lions Club of Hong Kong (Host) on "Hong Kong's Role in International Trade Negotiations". It was his last public speech as Director-General of Trade before he takes up his new post as Director of Housing later this month.

The Director-General said Hong Kong's second great strength lies in the degree to which its faith for free trade and the rule of law was shared throughout the community.

"Government's belief in giving market forces free rein goes straight to Hong Kong's origins. Business stands firmly behind us in this belief.

"The wider community's spirit of self-reliance and direct experience of the prosperity which has flowed from practising what we preach provides a constant reaffirmation of our faith," Mr Miller said, adding that few governments could boast such united support for basic economic policies.

Mr Miller said its third great strength was the quality of staff posted to Hong Kong's overseas offices and to the Trade Department, their professionalism and enthusiasm in defending its trading interests overseas and their efficiency in administering its trade controls at home.

"Our fourth great strength is that other trading partners recognise the first three in our negotiating style. They know that we speak our minds. They know that we know our trade theology," Mr Miller continued.

"They know that we fight fiercely in defence of principle. They know that we are pragmatic problem solvers. They know also from experience not to confuse this latter constructive approach to compromise with any weakness on matters of fundamental importance.

"They know that, on technical matters, we are more than merely proficient. Finally, they know that we are creative drafters and that our pens are always at the service of those in search of imaginative solutions."

According to Mr Miller, the fifth strength of Hong Kong is the way that it is poised between the developed and the developing world.

"This may puzzle some people. Take one look at our sky-line, our streets, our shopping malls and concert halls and you know that Hong Kong is a developed not a developing economy. And yet in the twisted logic of trade relations, we are de facto developing," he said.