30 in 30 - 1997: Hong Kong returns to China

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-08-2008 08:58

Hong Kong returned to China eleven years ago and over the past decade, the mainland's economic relations have developed rapidly with the Special Administrative Region.

Today, in our "30 in 30" series, we turn to the year 1997 to see how economic ties have grown stronger after reunification.

July 1st, 1997 after 156 years' of British rule, Hong Kong  returns to the motherland.

July 1st, 1997 after 156 years' of British rule, Hong Kong returns to the motherland.

The event was not only a political landmark, but also meant big business opportunities for both Hong Kong and the mainland.

The then Hong Kong Chief Executive, Tung Chee-hwa, pictured a rosy future for Hong Kong investors at a business forum in December 1997.

He said China would need at least 750-billion US dollars in infrastructure construction over the next decade a great opportunity for Hong Kong investors. He said the rapid growth of China's import and export trade would also benefit from Hong Kong's advantage in international shipping and air service. Tung Chee-hwa said Hong Kong investors should pay special attention to China's vast central and western regions, which were undertaking a massive development scheme.