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New Zealanders join Hong Kong's 10th anniversary celebrations

The Hong Kong Economic & Trade office in Sydney (HKETO, Sydney) held a reception (June 28, Auckland time) for more than 200 guests in Auckland, New Zealand, to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Hong Kong's establishment as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China.

In her welcoming address, the Director of the HKETO, Mrs Jenny Wallis recalled the moving ceremonies that were held in Hong Kong on the night of June 30, 1997, and the early morning of July 1 to mark the handover; and reviewed the SAR's development in the decade since.

The Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office (HKETO) in Sydney hosts a reception (28 June) for over 200 guests in Auckland, New Zealand, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People¡¯s Republic of China. Picture shows participants proposing a toast to Hong Kong at the reception. They are (from left) Mr Mike Chilton, the Director, Auckland Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, New Zealand; Mrs Jenny Wallis, the Director of HKETO, Sydney; Mr Ma Chongren, Consul-General of the People¡¯s Republic of China in Auckland; Ms Ann Hartley, MP & Assistant Speaker, representing the New Zealand Prime Minister; and Dr Richard Worth, Spokesperson ¨C Economic Development & Associate Spokesperson ¨C Justice, Associate Spokesperson ¨C Ethnic Affairs, New Zealand Parliament.


Mrs Wallis said that while there were difficulties and challenges during the period, none had been as a result of the change of sovereignty. "On the contrary," she said, "our closer ties with mainland China had opened up enormous opportunities for Hong Kong that had propelled our economy to new highs. For instance, over the past 10 years, Hong Kong's external trade has almost doubled to HK$5 trillion, and our GDP per capita has also increased to nearly US$28,000, despite the severe ravages during that period brought about by the Asian Financial Crisis, avian flu, a property slump, high unemployment and the SARS outbreak."

"Unemployment is now at a nine-year low; and our equity market is breaking all kinds of records ¨C spurred on by intense international interest in China-related companies listing on Hong Kong's main board. This activity has catapulted Hong Kong into the same league as London and New York for IPO business."

She said Hong Kong was now an integral and special part of China with the added advantages of not only being an international financial centre, but one blessed with business incentives such as the free trade arrangement with the Mainland; the development of the Pan Pearl River Delta region with Hong Kong as its financial centre; and the enormous boost to Hong Kong's tourism industry from new attractions and the lifting of many travel restrictions on visitors from the Mainland.

"Not only this, we have held on to our freedoms and way of life that we all cherish under the 'one country two systems' formula ¨C a formula that has withstood the pressures of the past decade."

She added that the four pillars of Hong Kong ¨C the rule of law, underpinned by an independent judiciary; a level playing field for all; a free and unfettered media; and a clean, accountable civil service ¨C were as rock solid today as they were a decade ago.

"So, we are in pretty good shape whichever way you look at us and that's good news for everyone. I believe the generation of wealth in the past few years has continued to build a better lifestyle for our seven million residents, including the many New Zealanders and people from all over the world who have chosen to make Hong Kong their home."

Guests attending the reception were also able to view an exhibition at the venue highlighting the major developments in Hong Kong in the past decade. They were also treated to an array of New Zealand and Hong Kong songs by celebrated vocalist Anne Cheng. Born in Hong Kong, Anne migrated to New Zealand some 20 years ago and now lives in Dunedin.

VIPs attending the reception included Assistant Speaker Ms Ann Hartley, MP, representing the Prime Minister, Consul-General of the People's Republic of China in Auckland Mr Ma Chongren, Spokesperson - Economic Development, Associate Spokesperson - Justice, Associate Spokesperson - Ethnic Affairs, representing the National Party Dr Richard Worth, MP, and North Shore City Mayor George Wood.

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