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 June 22, 2007)