World City vision can be achieved but concerted effort needed, says HKGCC

Welcoming the Commission on Strategic Development's report "Bringing the Vision to Life" released today, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce expressed confidence that Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa's vision of Hong Kong as a World City can be achieved through a concerted effort by various sectors of the community.

In this report the Commission has put together a much more articulate vision of Hong Kong as Asia's World City and a major city of China. The Chamber believes that it is a significant advance from the description in the Policy Address of last October when that vision was first presented.

"The Chamber is very pleased that many of its recommendations in the past two years such as improving the environment and education standard in Hong Kong, strengthening economic ties with the Mainland, are considered by this commission to be key factors in the development of Hong Kong's future. We now hope that the community supports the commission's vision as the Government begins to implement measures which will make these goals a reality," said Chamber Chairman Mr C.C. Tung.

Chamber Director Dr Eden Woon observed that many ideas in the report might not be new, such as the proposal to strengthen links with the Mainland which was reinforced by a recent Chamber study on China's accession to the WTO and its impact on Hong Kong. "But the Chamber is greatly heartened that the Commission has integrated these themes raised by different parts of the community and has, through this report, committed the Government fully to their achievement," commented Dr Woon.

The Chamber does understand the scale of the challenge ahead. While it is fully behind the Chief Executive in 'bringing the vision to life', the Chamber feels that an awareness is needed from across the community.

Such a community consensus will be much more achievable if a roadmap for getting from here to there can be developed, added Dr Woon. "The strategic development of Hong Kong is an ongoing, 'live' topic. I hope there will be more participation from the public in the discussion that ensues, and the Commission can count on the Chamber's continuing contribution," said Dr Woon.

For further information, contact: Dr Eden Woon on 2823-1211.