In the three years, Hong Kong's economy continued to prosper, with increases of external trade and tourists arrivals, he said in an interview with Xinhua.

Ma said someone had predicted that Hong Kong would become less important after its return to China, but it has not been so and instead Hong Kong has scored much progress in its economy after 1997.

In general, Taiwan people are happy to see the achievements of the "one country, two systems" principle in Hong Kong and wish it success.

Ma said Taiwan has maintained a close tie with Hong Kong for a long time. Over 1.8 million Taiwan people visit Hong Kong annually, with more than 200 flights linking Hong Kong and Taipei and Kaohsiung of Taiwan each week, he said, adding that few other two cities in the world maintain so close ties like Hong Kong and Taipei.

Ma said he advocated not to ignore the importance of Hong Kong as early as ten years ago, as it serves as a spring board for Taiwan to get to know the mainland. Even if the direct postal, commercial, shipping and air links are established across the Taiwan Straits, Hong Kong will still be an important port for Taiwan's trade with southeast Asia, he said.

When he visited Hong Kong two years ago, he reached an agreement with the Hong Kong Policy Research Institute (HKPRI) to hold the Two City Forum between Hong Kong and Taipei. The forum has yielded noted achievements for Taipei to learn experience of Hong Kong in terms of urban transportation and slope management. And the exchanges can be extended to the cultural and educational sectors, he noted.

The exchanges between Hong Kong and Taipei are helpful to both cities, Ma said, and both sides are satisfied with the exchange programs and expecting great progress.

(Xinhua 02/13/2001)