President Jiang expressed his hope Monday that the Hong Kong government and its people will strengthen their confidence and work persistently towards a new economic landscape in Hong Kong.
Speaking at the celebrations of the fifth anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the inauguration of the second-term government of the Hong Kong SAR, Jiang said Hong Kong's future economic success will require the unremitting exploration and hard work of the SAR government and the people of all circles.
Given the current circumstances, it is all the more important not to lose sight of the main advantages of Hong Kong while acknowledging its current economic difficulties and problems, he said.
"With a fairly strong economy and considerable competitive edge, Hong Kong is well-known in the world for its highly open and free economic structure, a fairly complete legal system, a sound business environment and extensive links with the world markets," Jiang said.
What is more, he said, Hong Kong has a contingent of high- quality civil servants, large numbers of successful entrepreneurs and an array of professional talents. "All this will contribute to Hong Kong's success in future competitions," he added.
Jiang noted that the vast hinterland of China, its rapidly growing economy and rising international stature will also provide Hong Kong with highly favorable conditions for its development.
He pledged that the central government will continue to support and help Hong Kong in its economic recovery and development.
"I am confident that as long as our Hong Kong compatriots carry forward their fine traditions of courage, industry and enterprise, Hong Kong's economy will retain its famed dynamism and be always blessed with a bright future," he said.
(China Daily July 1, 2002)
