AUCKLAND, New Zealand, July 4 (Xinhua) -- A symposium has been held in New Zealand to celebrate the 23rd Anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China as participants have expressed strong confidence in Hong Kong's future.
The symposium, hosted by the Federation of the Chinese Association of New Zealand on Friday, was attended by New Zealand politicians, local community leaders, business leaders, and Chinese compatriots.
Steven Wong, director of the federation, said in his welcome remark that he believes Hong Kong, backed by the strong support from its motherland, the solidarity by Chinese people all over the world and the "one country, two systems," will see more prosperity in the future.
China's Vice Consul General in Auckland Xiao Yewen said in his keynote speech that the since its return to the motherland, Hong Kong has successfully weathered the difficult times such as the Asian financial crisis in the late 1990s, SARS outbreak in 2003 and international financial crisis, and has maintained its position as an international shipping, financial and trade center, which has fully demonstrated that "one country, two systems" has a strong vitality and plays an important role in maintaining Hong Kong's stability and prosperity.
The Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was passed unanimously on Tuesday at the 20th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress.
"It is a landmark in the practice of 'one country, two systems' and a strong institutional guarantee for upholding national sovereignty, security and development interests, safeguarding lasting security, prosperity and stability in Hong Kong, and ensuring the steady implementation of 'one country, two systems'", said Xiao.
George Hawkins, former New Zealand minister of police, reiterated the strong trading relations and friendship between China and New Zealand in his speech.
Former New Zealand Member of Parliament Ross Robertson and Dr. Ashraf Choudhary also took this opportunity to give their best wishes to Hong Kong at its 23rd anniversary of returning to China.
Hong Kong is part of China. It is also important that New Zealand has strong relationship with China, said Choudhary.
Leaders from the Auckland Chinese community also expressed their strong confidence on Hong Kong's future and prosperity.
Kai-Shek Luey, chair of the Auckland Chinese Community Centre, believed that Hong Kong will continue to thrive in the future.
"Hong Kong was taken from China more than 100 years ago by the colonial for their own interests and they exploited the Chinese people," said Luey.
Christine Che, founder of the Chinese Women Association of New Zealand, said the national security law in Hong Kong is what people want and imperative.
"Hong Kong in the future, with the support from the central government, will be even more prosperous," sais Che. Enditem
