Safeguarded by the Basic Law, residents in Hong Kong enjoyed
more freedom and rights after it returned to the motherland, said
Elsie Leung Oi-Sie, vice chairwoman of the Commission for the Basic
Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the
Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China.
Leung, former secretary for justice of the HKSAR, said during an
interview with Xinhua recently that the principle of "one country,
two systems" has been successfully implemented in Hong Kong during
the past 10 years.
She said when China resumed the exercising of sovereignty over
Hong Kong 10 years ago, many people understood little about the
principle of "one country, two systems" and many predicted that
Hong Kong residents would lose their freedom.
But the facts of the past 10 years have proved that these
predictions are wrong, said Leung, noting that Hong Kong is still
one of the freest city in Asia.
"In 1997, Hong Kong had a population of 6 million. At that time,
many people emigrated out of Hong Kong owing to they fear and doubt
of Hong Kong's future. But currently, Hong Kong has a population of
7 million, which is a proof of the residents' confidence in Hong
Kong," said Leung.
Leung admitted that more than 150 years' of colonial rule had
caused some blur of identity on some people and that some of them
had not a clear sense of identity. It takes time to change, Leung
added.
She noted that the rapid economic growth, technological
advancement, improvement of China's international status, and
increasing linkage and exchange between Hong Kong and the Chinese
mainland have helped Hong Kong residents improve their sense of
identity with the motherland.
(Xinhua News Agency June 16, 2007)