Pact shows mainland's staunch support
( 2003-06-30 11:29) (China Daily HK Edition)
The terms of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) are more
favourable than what the mainland offered to other countries when it joined the
World Trade Organization (WTO), Financial Secretary Antony Leung said Sunday.
As such, the agreement reflects fully the central government's staunch
support towards Hong Kong as well as a good understanding of the local economic
situation.
The fact that a solid agreement with substantive details can be finalized
within 18 months fully reflects the mainland's economic strengths and the
principle of "One Country, Two Systems", he said.
"The terms of the CEPA pinpoint our situation and can therefore help Hong
Kong a lot. Had there been inadequate understanding about Hong Kong, the
proposal would have been very vague," he said.
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