More than 33,000 talented people from the Chinese mainland and overseas came to live and work in Hong Kong in 2007, which almost doubles the tally of five years ago, said Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive Donald Tsang Wednesday.

Delivering the 2008-09 Policy Address at the Legislative Council Wednesday morning, Tsang said Hong Kong will maintain an open immigration policy to attract more talents to the city.

He said to expand Hong Kong's pool of talent, the HKSAR government launched the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme in June 2006. As a further step, in January this year, the SAR government relaxed some restrictions under the Scheme. So far, more than 700 applicants have been accepted under the Scheme.

Tsang said from the 2008-09 school year, the SAR government has fully subsidized students in public secondary schools, including senior secondary education. Meanwhile, to enhance students' ability for self-learning and interactive learning, and to promote the use of e-books rather than printed copies.

The policy address, titled "Embracing New Challenges," responded to Hong Kong's new challenges, including the current global financial crisis, food safety and environmental pollution.

The Policy Address was Tsang's second annual policy address since he won a second term as HKSAR Chief Executive in March 2007.

(Xinhua News Agency October 15, 2008)