Old Version
Many Chinese fondly remember the scene on July 1, 1997, when the flag of China was raised at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center and history began a new chapter. Back then, China was deepening its Reform and Opening Up Policy and Hong Kong, as one of the four Asian Tigers, had maintained an economic boom for 30 years. 20 years since the handover and under “One Country, Two Systems,” Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland have cemented political, economic and cultural ties. In 1997, Hong Kong’s GDP accounted for nearly one fourth of that of China. Now, it has shrunk to 2.77 percent. Since the handover, there have been great achievements made by the people of Hong Kong, but concerns and uncertainties abound and it remains a challenge for Hong Kong to adapt to the change and find its rightful place. The solution lies in further integration and cooperation to break the political barriers and enhance mutual trust which will be a boon for the public on both sides.
