From Miss Margaret Fong
Dear friends,
As many of you may know, I have recently returned to Hong Kong having concluded my responsibilities as Hong Kong Commissioner to the United States.
My departure was a poignant moment as I have been honoured and privileged to have spent six of the last eleven years representing Hong Kong in Washington, D.C. and the United States.
In my six years in the U.S. capital, I have shared with my friends the sense of uncertainty as Hong Kong embarked on a historic journey under the novel concept of "one country, two systems".
Last year, we marked the tenth anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region with a series of events across the U.S. Whilst Hong Kong has had its share of accomplishments and challenges in the past decade, the resilience of the Hong Kong people and their adherence to our core values of the rule of law, of respect for rights and freedoms, a clean and accountable government and a steadfast belief in free market have helped us emerge more competitive and as full of dynamism and vibrancy as ever.
From our long-standing relationship as close trading partners with the U.S., we have evolved into partners on fronts well beyond trade.
In the area of port security, Hong Kong is cited as a model of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Container Security Initiative cooperation and we are now working with the Department of Homeland Security on a limited Secure Freight Initiative pilot scheme on a voluntary basis.
We have been an active member of the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering from its inception and will continue to play our part in fighting terrorist financing. And in the battle against global health hazards, Hong Kong is at every major international forum ready to share our experiences on avian flu and SARS.
We have done this because Hong Kong takes its role as a responsible member of the global village seriously. We believe that no community is immune from the global challenges facing us all today and that the best strategy is to work with our partners round the world.
If there had been any doubts about how interconnected we are, the current financial turmoil would have made that abundantly clear. The concerted efforts of the governments of the U.S., Europe and Asia have brought some stability back to the markets. There is still a lot of work to be done but hopefully we are now on the right track.
The lessons learnt from the Asian financial crisis in 1997 and 1998 have made the banking institutions in the region more robust. The Hong Kong government will take this opportunity to critically review the city's financial and banking systems to ensure that international standards are met and our supervisory functions are strictly executed.
I believe we will emerge from the current turmoil wiser and more equipped to deal with future challenges.
On a more personal note, the past two years as Commissioner allowed me to better appreciate the vibrancy, diversity and generosity of spirit that define America.
I have been privileged to have visited 39 states during my time in the U.S.; many officially, others for pleasure. And in every city I have been to, I have been struck by the energy, the creativity and the hospitality that were extended to me – from the Museum Hill in Santa Fe, New Mexico to the Mei Wah Museum in Butte, Montana to Space Camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center at Huntsville, Alabama.
However fun and exciting New York and Chicago and San Francisco may be, Washington is always home because my dearest friends are here.
I would like to thank my friends in Washington and across the country for making my time so memorable. Nowhere in the world can you have so many brilliant minds from across the globe all ready and willing to share their insights. And so many of you have welcomed me into your home and made me part of your family.
As I return to Hong Kong, I know that I will always have friends in Washington, and in Des Moines, in Miami, in Seattle, in Atlanta, in Little Rock and many, many places across the United States. And I hope you all will feel the same – that you too have a friend in Hong Kong who will be waiting to welcome you.
The Hong Kong-US partnership has grown closer and stronger over the past decade. I am confident that you will give my successor, Donald Tong, the same support I have enjoyed.
It has been a true privilege to have represented Hong Kong in this great country and getting to know you all.
Thank you
Margaret Fong
HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN WASHINGTON D.C.
1520 18th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202)331-8947 Fax: (202)331-8958
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Copyright @ 2003, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington D.C.
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