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| No.11 December, 2010 |
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Australia-Hong Kong Parliamentary Friendship Group relaunch |
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 At the dinner held recently in Canberra to celebrate the relaunch of the Australia-Hong Kong Parliamentary Friendship Group, Steve Barclay, Director (Representative to Australia/New Zealand) HKETO, reiterated that under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle as enshrined in the Basic Law, Hong Kong continues to enjoy a high degree of autonomy. As a separate economic entity, Hong Kong is a free port, and an active member of the World Trade Organization and APEC. Hong Kong retains the many features that have made it successful: English as the language of business, common law, independent and fair judiciary, competent civil service, low tax, ease of doing business, little corruption etc.
Mr Barclay thanked Senator Gary Humphries and Senator Steve Hutchins for their role in coordinating the Parlimentary Hong Kong Friendship Group.
Senator Humphries reiterated the close cultural and economic ties between Hong Kong and Australia and noted that Hong Kong is Australia's 19th largest trading partner and that Hong Kong and Australia share a desire to promote free trade between nations.
Senator Humphries emphasised that the shared language, customs and democratic traditions between Australia and Hong Kong have resulted in a particularly special bond and reinforced that this bond should be nurtured and supported by the Australian Parliament. He highlighted the importance of the Parliamentary Hong Kong Friendship Group in contributing to this end.
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