People's Daily, the flagship newspaper of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, ran an editorial headlined Great Conception and Successful Implementation yesterday to mark the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China.

Hailing the "one country, two systems" policy, the editorial says Hong Kong has enjoyed a high degree of autonomy and witnessed continuous prosperity and stability in the decade since it returned to the motherland.

Over the past decade, the central government unswervingly implemented the policies of "one country, two systems" and "Hong Kong people govern Hong Kong" and spared no effort to ensure the development of Hong Kong, the editorial says.

Meanwhile, the editorial says, the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region led the people of the region to successfully overcome difficulties brought along by the Asian financial crisis, the SARS epidemic and the impact of adverse changes in the external economic environment.

The editorial noted that the past decade has witnessed Hong Kong's continuing role as a prosperous free port, a center of international finance, trade and shipping, and one of the freest and most open economies in the world.

The success of a series of major international events held in Hong Kong during the past decade, such as the World Bank annual conference and the 2006 World Telecommunications Expo, proved the international community's acknowledgement of Hong Kong's progress since 1997 and its confidence in the region.

Noting that the mainland's development has helped drive Hong Kong's economy, the editorial says the special administrative region has also contributed to the mainland's economic growth by serving as a platform for the mainland to attract international investment, technology and managerial experience.

The editorial points out that Hong Kong enjoys a geographical advantage and has a golden opportunity to achieve greater success in development. It also urges Hong Kong people to seek common ground while putting aside their differences and to work together with the entire nation for a brighter future.

(China Daily 07/02/2007 page4)