The European Commission (EC) on Tuesday expressed general satisfaction at the way the "One Country, Two Systems" principle applies in Hong Kong and Macao in its newly adopted 2002 annual reports on Hong Kong and Macao.

The Hong Kong 2002 report considers that five and a half years after the hand-over of Hong Kong to China, the principle continued to be working reasonably well and the central government statements reiterating its adherence to this principle for Hong Kong throughout 2002 were welcomed.

The report welcomes the Hong Kong's increasing economic integration with the Chinese mainland.

In conclusion, the commission calls on the Hong Kong government to continue to uphold the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, saying it will continue to monitor the developments in Hong Kong closely.

In its Macao 2002 report, the EC said that the central government reiterated its commitment to the "One Country, Two Systems" throughout 2002. The Macao Special Administrative Region government continued to administer Macao in accordance with the Basic Law, both internally and internationally.

The report noted that Macao's economy rebounded strongly in 2002, with a growth rate of up to 9.5 percent. Macao has continued its good start by achieving sustained economic growth and consolidating its public institutions, the EC report said.

The commission pledged to endeavor to work and cooperate with the Macao authorities to assist Macao's further development, in line with "One Country, Two Systems" principle.
 
(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2003)