Positive outlook: Chief Executive Donald Tsang says Hong Kong is on the threshold of a brand new start and is striding ahead towards a more fruitful and brilliant future.

Hong Kong is on the threshold of a brand new start and is striding ahead towards a more fruitful and brilliant future, Chief Executive Donald Tsang says.

With the experience of the past eight years, he has full confidence in the future of the Mainland and Hong Kong.

Speaking at the reception in celebration of the eighth anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's establishment this morning, Mr Tsang said he was delighted to celebrate this memorable event with the community for the first time as Chief Executive of Hong Kong.

"Eight years since the reunion, it is most noticeable to me that the feelings of Hong Kong people towards the country and the nation have undergone striking changes," Mr Tsang said.

"These changes do not come without reason. On the contrary, it is the distillation of the invaluable experiences gathered over eight momentous years. Never has the bond of flesh and blood, the interdependency between Hong Kong and the Mainland been so real to us."

Sustaining economic growth social consensus

Mr Tsang said the community as a whole has developed the consensus that for our economy to sustain growth, Hong Kong must leverage the staunch support of the Mainland as well as our own global outlook, and fortify our status as an international hub of finance, trade, logistics, tourism and information.

The Central People's Government's support for Hong Kong is not empty talk, he said, adding its action has spoken loud and clear throughout the last eight years. Meanwhile, Hong Kong people have also made tremendous contributions to the nation.

"Hong Kong is a definite asset to the country. Eight years more experienced now, this asset will undoubtedly further prove its worth."

Mr Tsang said President Hu Jintao expressed his approval for the people-based governing principle that he proposed, and encouraged him to upgrade the Hong Kong Government's governance for the well-being of the people. 

Expedient decision making

He pledged that under his administration, decision making will be accountable and expedient, based on the interests of the people, and implementation of policies will be efficient, realised by meritocracy. 

Through improved governance, the Government will ride the present momentum of recovery and go all out to develop Hong Kong's economy.

"With the experience of the past eight years, I have full confidence in the future of our country; I have full confidence in the implementation of the Basic Law and 'one country, two systems'. I have full confidence in the can-do spirit of Hong Kong.