By CC Tung

The world is awash with milestones. They are one of the means we use to measure our progress -- physical, personal and social. They help us all assess the advances in our society, businesses and other organisations, where we have been and where we are headed, and often the inevitable changes in our relationships with others. Some of the important milestones we all encounter throughout our lives are celebratory, evoking fond memories of the past or excited anticipation of the future. Others are more sombre in nature. Some are a mixture of both.

A little over two and a half years ago, Hong Kong celebrated one of the most important milestones in its history, the return of sovereignty over the territory from the colonial power, Britain, to its historic homeland, the Mainland of China. It was one of those occasions of mixed emotions. Although dominated by excited anticipation of the future, it also brought back vivid memories, both good and sometimes bad, of our home's quite incredible and unique history.

This year, 2001, your Chamber, The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, celebrates an important milestone of its own, the 140th anniversary of its founding by a group of far-sighted businessmen back in 1861 -- just 20 years after Britain had claimed Hong Kong as a colonial possession. For all of us I am sure this 140th birthday is an overwhelmingly positive occasion. Throughout its history the Chamber and its members have made a tremendous contribution to the business, good governance and social development of Hong Kong.

It is fitting, therefore, that this important milestone in the history of our own organisation is being celebrated by a series of special events throughout the year, some which are already in place, others that are still being planned. The Chamber's 140th anniversary Grand Ball will be held on April 20. We have also instituted a Distinguished Speakers Series, which will begin this month (Feb. 22) with the Chief executive Tung Chee Hwa, and continue throughout the year. Other events will be announced in due course.

More recently, and on an entirely different level, the Hong Kong SAR has marked another milestone in its administration, the announcement of the imminent retirement of Anson Chan as the Chief Secretary for Administration, after a career in the civil service spanning 38 years. Mrs Chan's contribution to the administration of Hong Kong over many years, and particularly the last seven years as Chief Secretary, cannot be doubted.

Perhaps because of this, as well as her own personality and high level of competence in everything she has tackled, her resignation was greeted in some quarters as a reason for concern. But this concern is misplaced. No civil service, no administration, is dependent on one person and the Hong Kong civil service has a depth and breadth of talent equal to the best administration anywhere around the world. Her departure will be felt, but not insurmountably so.

What is important about all the milestones in our society, at whatever level they occur, is not so much what went on before them, but what occurs afterwards. For Hong Kong, there is little doubt that the return of sovereignty to Mainland China has been a resounding success under the innovative formula of "one country, two systems." With the full commitment of us all and the unwavering support of our sovereign, China, there is little doubt this success will continue.

As for the Chamber, all of us as members can look back with pride at the important contribution it has made to the progress and development of Hong Kong over almost a century and a half. But we are not standing still. Over recent years, the Chamber has adapted itself to new circumstances, modernised itself internally and changed its business orientation as Hong Kong's geopolitical situation and business structure has also changed. This process will continue.

Likewise, the Hong Kong civil service, one of the most important institutions in the SAR, will well survive the resignation of its talented and long-serving leader. It is above all a highly talented and professional body of people who have served Hong Kong well in the past and will continue to do so in the future. We may regret Mrs Chan's decision to retire early, but we should also respect it and her reasons for doing so. The Hong Kong SAR must continue to look to its future development as Asia's leading commercial centre, not to the past.