Remarkable change in Hong Kong
(China Daily)

President Hu Jintao arrived in Hong Kong yesterday to attend the 10th anniversary celebrations of Hong Kong's reunification with the motherland and the swearing-in ceremony of the new administration.

Arriving at the airport, Hu, who is also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said that Hong Kong people had made enviable achievements over the past 10 years and gathered successful experience in "one country, two systems".

The special administrative region's (SAR) first decade has seen Deng Xiaoping's "one country, two systems" principle graduating from a scientific concept into reality, making ground-breaking accomplishments and winning Hong Kong compatriots' recognition and international acclaim.

During these 10 years, the principles of "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy have become a reality, and the territory's democratization process progressed in a gradual and orderly manner.

The SAR's exchange and cooperation with the mainland has intensified over the past decade, achieving economic benefits and a win-win situation.

Hong Kong has benefited from the motherland's international reputation and expanded its influence continuously in international affairs.

Hong Kong is unchanged. Its social system, style of living and basic legal system has remained intact.

At the same time, Hong Kong is changing. While retaining its existing advantages, it has been able to capitalize on the strong backing of the motherland to create for itself more room for development.

Hong Kong has also overcome such challenges as the Asian financial crisis and avian flu and severe acute respiratory syndrome attacks, preserved its status as an international center of finance, trade and logistics and is in the best time in more than 20 years in terms of economic development.

More importantly, the new framework of "one country, two systems" has taken root in Hong Kong and laid a solid foundation for the territory's further development. This is the basis of our profound confidence in the future of Hong Kong.

"One country, two systems" is the significant and unique contribution of Chinese to mankind's political heritage. Reviewing its implementation over the 10 years, drawing invaluable lessons in the process and reflecting upon its success and shortcomings would be an enlightening exercise for Hong Kong and a significant event with international implications.

The president will see with his own eyes what the island has accomplished in the context of the city's stability and prosperity in the past decade, and his conclusions will be deeply inspiring.