Donald Tsang, while announcing on Thursday his decision to run
for the election of Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (HKSAR), made public his policy blueprint
for the next two years if he is elected.
He made the announcement at a press conference on Thursday
afternoon.
Tsang said he recognizes that it is the duty of the Chief
Executive to faithfully implement in Hong Kong the principles of
"One Country, Two Systems", and "Hong Kong people governing Hong
Kong" in accordance with the Basic Law.
He pledged that he would strive to achieve this by acting
strictly in accordance with the Basic Law, showcasing Hong Kong's
contribution and commitment to the betterment of the country.
It is also the Chief Executive's duty to rekindle people's faith
in the SAR leadership's ability to govern with vision and
passion.
Further, he said to he would work to prove the administration's
determination to be accountable to and responsible for all the
people of Hong Kong. "Mine will be an inclusive administration, not
one that favors special interests.
"We will cherish the cosmopolitan nature of our community where
all ethnic minorities are proud of our citizenship and our
expatriates readily choose to settle here for good," he added.
With regard to the SAR's relationship with the mainland, he
said: "We have to remain a dynamic part of our country that
continues to contribute to China's program of anchoring its place
on the world stage."
He also plans to promote Hong Kong citizens' sense of patriotism
so that they will take pride in the nation's culture and
achievements.
He said he needs the support of Hong Kong's 7 million
citizens.
"We have to augment our political super-structure that touches
on the role and development of political parties and empower the
governing team to work more closely together to effectively
implement the agreed policies.
"We have to make the administration more accessible, transparent
and accountable to our citizens," he added.
On constitutional development, he said: "We have to move
steadily and purposefully towards the ultimate objective of
universal suffrage as prescribed in the Basic Law."
On economic development, he said: "We have to leverage our
openness, our free flow of information, our respect for the rule of
law, our sense of fair play and our entrepreneurial flair to
fortify our position as a global business center, living up to our
aspiration as 'Asia's world city'."
Tsang added: "I deeply believe that, for Hong Kong, the best is
still to come.
"I want to lead in a way that brings our people together, that
unites us in facing the tough challenges of a changing society in
which we all live.
"Have faith in Hong Kong; a great city that I want us all to
feel part of, in whose future we all have a stake.
"Have faith in Hong Kong; a great city that I want us all to
feel proud of, in which, what I want for my own children, I want
for yours."
(Xinhua News Agency June 3, 2005)