Rafael Hui: Hong Kong´s future tied with motherland

However, Hui stressed that closer economic ties and deeper integration would not affect the "one country, two systems" concept, as it is guaranteed by the Basic Law.

Over the past ten years, both the central government and the HKSAR government have strictly adhered to the Basic Law, and Hong Kong's freedom of speech, legal system and judiciary system have remained intact, he said.

And there can be much creativity and flexibility under the "one country, two systems" principle, which will benefit Hong Kong, he said, citing the Shenzhen Bay Port co-location arrangement.

On Thursday, Hui and Shenzhen Mayor Xu Zongheng witnessed the signing of the Shenzhen Bay Port co-location arrangement. The deal covers the use of land in the Hong Kong Port Area and the co-operation framework and implementation details of Shenzhen Bay Port.

"The co-location arrangement at the Shenzhen Bay Port is the first of its kind to be implemented at control points between Hong Kong and the mainland. It fulfills the spirit of the 'one country, two systems' principle, and fully reflects its creativity and flexibility," Hui said.

Asked whether Hong Kong will go on with the West Kowloon project to boost cultural development, he said that he expected the project will be under construction starting from 2009 and that a first facility will be put into operation by 2011.

The project will not only house concert halls, theaters and other performance venues but also provide special places to the performance and study of traditional Chinese operas to showcase traditional Chinese culture to the world.

"We hope Hong Kong will be not only an international financial center, but also a cultural center," he said.

Editor:Du Xiaodan