The launch of the first volume of the English edition of the Hong Kong Chronicles was held at Government House today.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Chief Executive John Lee said that one of the key chapters of the story of Hong Kong is about its national and international connectivity. He said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will endeavour to tell the world the good stories of Hong Kong.

Mr Lee pointed out that President Xi Jinping acknowledged the favourable conditions and distinctive advantages of Hong Kong's close connection with the world market in his important speech on July 1, in which the President said: “Proactively integrating itself into the country's overall development and carving out its role in national strategies, Hong Kong has maintained its strengths in its high degree of openness and in aligning with international rules. In doing so, the region has been playing an important role in raising China's opening up to a higher level with wider coverage and scope.

“The President acknowledged that the favourable conditions and distinctive advantages of Hong Kong's close connection with the world market are cherished by both the people of Hong Kong and the central government. Hong Kong's story is one of national and international connectivity. And our history and culture, as well as our people, institutions and circumstances, all add vibrant colours to our Hong Kong story.

“In addition to knowing the story of Hong Kong, reading the Hong Kong Chronicles will also enhance our understanding, and appreciation of the nation we are all so proud to be part of. That includes not only the history we share, but the future we can look forward to.

“That means boosting our traditional strengths - as an international financial, shipping and trading centre, and as a regional centre for legal and dispute-resolution services. It also means developing our prowess in other areas as well. That includes rising as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, an up-and-coming area accorded significance in the National 14th Five-Year Plan.”

He said that reading the Hong Kong Chronicles will enhance understanding and appreciation of not only the nation's history, but also the future that offers wide-ranging opportunities for Hong Kong to take part in the nation's progress and development.

“As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Hong Kong SAR's establishment, the publication of this first volume of the Hong Kong Chronicles in English is a fresh opportunity to tell the success story of Hong Kong.”

The Hong Kong SAR Government fully supports the publication of the Hong Kong Chronicles by the Hong Kong Chronicles Institute. With the guiding editorial principle of recounting historical facts without interpretation, the Institute's goal is to produce a comprehensive, systematic and objective record of the city's heritage and history.

Two Chinese-language volumes of the Hong Kong Chronicles, namely Overview & Chronology and Hong Kong's Participation in National Reform & Opening-Up, have been published.

The English version of Overview & Chronology, which is some 360,000 words long and nearly 800 pages, was presented to readers today.