Overseas Chinese proud of progress
(China Daily)

HARARE: Chinese around the world are proud of the changes that have taken place in Hong Kong since its handover, Donald Lee, chairman of the Chung Hua Association of Zimbabwe, said.

"We are proud of the great changes that have taken place in Hong Kong since its handover in 1997, making it a more charming and more vital city," Lee said in an exclusive interview.

Lee said despite not being at the grand handover ceremony in 1997, when China resumed its sovereignty over Hong Kong, he has witnessed the tremendous progress there as he makes business trips there every year with his Hong Kong-born wife Yolanda.

The most impressive thing was the good governance of Hong Kong with the smooth transition under the principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and "a high degree of autonomy", Lee said.

"The attitude of civil servants, immigration, customs and other officials are changing for better, and streets and public places are cleaner with restaurants and theaters free of smoking," he said. Public transport facilities are excellent and free of pollution due to the LPG fuel. The MTR there is the most efficient as well as the cleanest in the world, he said.

Lee, who runs a company in Zimbabwe that trades with China, said the investments in Hong Kong were more solid and the currency stable. Overseas Chinese are benefiting more and more from the strong growth of China and the policy of economic cooperation with countries around the world, he said.

Xinhua

(China Daily 06/21/2007 page4)