ENG-1997 — Page 30

A NEW ERA BEGINS

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development is assured; and we continue to build a stable and peaceful society. This is the hallmark of our ability and determination to chart our own destiny.

Hong Kong is one of the freest and most vibrant economies in the world. Such remarkable achievements are not made overnight. Free enterprise and free trade; prudent financial management and low taxation; the rule of law; an executive-led government and efficient civil service have been part of our tradition. All these factors underlie our success and have been guaranteed in the Basic Law. Under the umbrella of the Basic Law, we exercise our rights, apply our wisdom, further develop our advantages and carry out our obligations for the well-being of all Chinese people.

The interests of Hong Kong and our motherland are intricately linked and intertwined. Due to our long separation, we need to acquire a new understanding of the Mainland. Only by doing this can our roots again grow in the soil of our nation and strengthen our relationship through mutual trust, mutual economic benefits, common cultural interaction, and mutual respect for each other's way of life. The principle of one country, two systems' provides us with unique opportunities and advantages to consolidate our foundation and to work in harmony with the Mainland for the development of Hong Kong and the motherland. Moving ahead together.

Every society must have its own values to provide a common purpose and a sense of unity. While the majority of people in Hong Kong are Chinese, we are home to people from other nationalities, and for a long time, we have embraced the cultures of east and west. We continue to encourage diversity in our society, but we must also reaffirm and respect the fine traditional Chinese values, including filial piety, love for the family, modesty and integrity, and the desire for continuous improvement. We value plurality, but discourage open confrontation; we strive for liberty, but not at the expense of the rule of law; we respect minority views, but are mindful of wider interests; we protect individual rights, but also shoulder collective responsibilities. I hope these values will provide the foundation for unity in our society.

Maintaining and developing the legal system and the rule of law in Hong Kong is immensely important. We will continue to ensure that the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the government will operate independently. We will intensify our efforts against corruption and maintain a clean society. We will ensure equality before the law and provide an attractive environment for investors and the people of Hong Kong.

We will preserve the existing freedoms and life style, and ensure that the people of Hong Kong will continue to enjoy the freedom of speech, of assembly, of association, of the press and other freedoms guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Democracy is the hallmark of a new era for Hong Kong. The Government of the Special Administrative Region is moving positively towards a more democratic form of government in accordance with the provisions laid down in the Basic Law. We are providing opportunities for all sections of our society, covering legitimate political organisations to people with different shades of opinion, to participate in the political process. The Special Administrative Region Government will adopt an open attitude and be accountable to the public.

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