Raise your glasses: Chief Executive Donald Tsang and guests propose a toast at the reception in celebration of the ninth anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Hong Kong must build a harmonious community so the One Country, Two Systems formula successfully takes root, Chief Executive Donald Tsang says.

Speaking at the reception in celebration of the ninth anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region today, Mr Tsang said the One Country, Two Systems concept is an innovative systemic arrangement and its successful implementation will be historically significant.

He said the reunification signifies the realisation of the concepts of One Country, Two Systems, a high degree of autonomy and Hong Kong people running Hong Kong.

He said: "In implementing these concepts during the past nine years, we have achieved success while also encountering challenges and difficulties. The 21st Century is the age of globalisation. Distance among peoples and countries has shrunken. At the same time, competition has intensified.

"The competition among nations concerns not only economic and military power, but also cultural strength. We create a following among nations through our values, culture, policies and systems, and we earn our international status through the strength of our values and systems.

"As our economy gains momentum in its growth, we must grasp the opportunity to keep it in good shape. In doing so, we will not only live up to the expectations that our country holds for Hong Kong, but also demonstrate to the world the diverse strengths, competitiveness and solidarity of the Chinese people."