Peggy's memory of the day when Hong Kong returned to its motherland on July 1, 1997 was the rising national flag, the exciting tune of the national anthem and the guard of honor of the People's Liberation Army, a vivid picture lasting almost a decade but still making her feel proud.

However, being the chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Women, Peggy Lam felt more proud of the growing confidence of Hong Kong women, which is apparently shown in the past ten years through their increasing participation in public affairs, capable management of transnationals, and large share in government leadership.

A high degree of autonomy, rapid economic development and the successful implementation of the principle "one country, two systems" are very important achievements of the HKSAR since its establishment, Peggy Lam told Xinhua Friday, adding that the past decade since Hong Kong's return to the motherland is also a mirror of Hong Kong women's progress in pursuing both professional and social development.

According to latest statistics, the proportion of female employment as managers and administrators has significantly grown from 19.5 percent ten years ago to 31 percent in 2006.

More significantly, the government is taking the lead in eliminating all forms of discrimination in employment, such as sex, marital status, pregnancy and family status. As a result, more women have assumed leadership positions in the government. Female officials now constitute around 30 percent of the directors in the civil service, said a report from the Economic Development and Labor Department.

Peggy said besides the achievement of career women, the number of women's organizations has also increased from 80 in 1997 to 140 in 2007, which is a dependable strength for women who need a help in protecting their rights in education, employment and family crisis.

"Before Hong Kong's return to its motherland," Peggy said, "a lot of people worried about the future of Hong Kong, not to mention protecting women's rights." "But now facts have proved that we can win through a lot of crises and keep moving forward under the 'one country, two systems' principle, and above all, women are enjoying a more balanced society with more equal social and economic status, an important benchmark of highly civilized society," she added.