For five consecutive years, American businessmen in Hong Kong have given the Special Administrative Region their best economic rating, said president of the American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) in Hong Kong, Jack Maisano.

He said that confidence would prevail for the next three years. "Hong Kong plays a unique role as a conduit between the United States and the Chinese mainland.

"The economic integration with the mainland continues to expand and this is a big impetus for people in Hong Kong," Maisano said.

He made the remarks recently in an interview with several Chinese media.

Established in 1969, Amcham is the largest foreign chamber of commerce in Hong Kong. It represents more than 800 member companies and 2,000 members, most of them senior business executives.

Maisano has lived in Hong Kong since the 1980s. He said its return to the motherland has resulted in greater integration with the mainland's economy.

"The business opportunities that have opened up on the mainland have benefited Hong Kong greatly in areas of finance, investment and trade. American businesses have also enjoyed these benefits," Maisano said.

He hailed the "one country, two systems" formula as a big success. "It is the first time such a system has ever been tried and created," Maisano said.

The system recognizes Hong Kong's unique history under 150 years of British rule, its laws and currency. It is also allowed a high degree of autonomy .

"I have heard some businessmen call it an ultra high level of autonomy," Maisano said.

(China Daily 06/22/2007 page4)