While Hong Kong strives to create a "legendary moment" for the 2009 East Asian Games, the SAR government is also systematically conducting political reform consultations. On December 4th, the reporting group from People's Daily Online interviewed Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang on topics such as political reform. Despite his busy schedule, Mr. Tang entered the reception room with his signature "lotus paste" smile. Speaking about significant events that have deeply impacted Hong Kong in recent years—political reform, the financial crisis, SARS, H1N1 influenza—Mr. Tang's tone was calm and unhurried.
Regarding political reform, Tang expressed hope that all sectors of Hong Kong society could reach a consensus to advance the democratic political process. The consultation on the political development regarding the methods for electing the Chief Executive and the Legislative Council in 2012 officially started on November 18th. Talking about the ongoing political reform consultations, Mr. Tang told reporters that this consultation is very important for Hong Kong. In 2007, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress made a decision (not to implement dual universal suffrage in 2012), and we need to take steps to move Hong Kong's political system forward. He hopes that all sectors of Hong Kong society can discuss and reach a consensus on the election methods for 2012. If the political reform proposal is passed, it will be very beneficial for the progress of democracy in Hong Kong society and the advancement of future electoral systems.
Mr. Tang stated that over the past 12 years since Hong Kong's return to China, the demand for democracy in Hong Kong society has been very evident. Regarding the setbacks encountered in Hong Kong's political reform, Tang said that Hong Kong is a diversified society, but the common goal of all sectors for democracy is consistent. In 2007, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress decided that Hong Kong could achieve universal suffrage for the Chief Executive by 2017 and possibly conduct Legislative Council universal suffrage by 2020. Universal suffrage already has a timetable, but the roadmap needs to be determined by the people of Hong Kong. We hope that the political reform consultation can receive two-thirds agreement in the Legislative Council, which would allow Hong Kong's democratic politics to take a step forward.
In late 2007, when submitting the political reform report, Mr. Tang expressed hope to complete the political reform during his term. When asked if this wish could be realized, Mr. Tang told reporters that as the Chief Secretary for Administration, promoting political reform is his responsibility. He needs to work hard with the Chief Executive and the entire government team. They will certainly do their utmost.
Regarding the integration of Hong Kong with the mainland, from the CEPA in 2003 to the "Outline" (the Pearl River Delta Reform and Development Plan) in 2009, Mr. Tang has been one of the main participants and executors. Currently, cooperation between Hong Kong and the entire Pearl River Delta region is highly anticipated. Mr. Tang indicated that CEPA was a good start, while the Pearl River Delta Planning Outline elevates the entire Pearl River Delta's development to the status of national development. Looking back at the past thirty years of reform and opening up, the mainland mainly developed the secondary industry. Where should future reforms go? I believe it should be optimizing the nation's secondary industry and accelerating the development of the tertiary industry. Over the past thirty years, the complementary advantages of Hong Kong and the mainland have been fully utilized. If the country accelerates the development of the tertiary industry, it will be another excellent opportunity for Hong Kong. Allowing Hong Kong's service industries connected to the international market to once again make significant contributions to the country’s reform and opening up. Whether CEPA or the "Outline," both are crucial opportunities for Hong Kong.
Mr. Tang pointed out that Hong Kong and the mainland share several common development premises. Firstly, in infrastructure, connecting Hong Kong's high-speed rail to the Pearl River Delta and Guangzhou links the entire national railway network, which is crucial for promoting the logistics industry; additionally, Hong Kong will open new border crossings. Following the western channel of Shenzhen Bay, Hong Kong is accelerating the development of the Liantang crossing in the east and starting construction on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge by the end of the year, all of which will promote circulation between the two regions. Various aspects of people flow, logistics, and information flow between Hong Kong and the mainland are continuously strengthening and unblocking, playing an essential role in the future integration of Hong Kong with the entire mainland.
Regarding coping with various challenges, relying on the motherland, Hong Kong continues to innovate and change. The Asian financial crisis, SARS, H1N1... Hong Kong has endured tests and remains prosperous. Mr. Tang said that Hong Kong is a self-reliant society. With limited land, only 1,100 square kilometers and seven million citizens, Hong Kong has adopted an open, small economic system development model over the past few decades, making it susceptible to external shocks. Despite numerous challenges over the past few decades, we have overcome them all through constant transformation, optimization, and upgrading, achieving today's economy primarily based on services and integrated with the international market. Mr. Tang indicated that the mainland's reform and opening up played a pivotal role for Hong Kong. Throughout the reform and opening-up process, Hong Kong has continuously transformed, shifting its manufacturing and secondary industries to the mainland while fully developing its service sector, forming a crucial complementary advantage model with the mainland. Therefore, after experiencing shocks, Hong Kong often responds with a pragmatic and proactive attitude.
Mr. Tang stated that Hong Kong could overcome these difficulties primarily due to the self-reliant and joint efforts of the Hong Kong people, as well as the advantage of being backed by the motherland and facing the world. With such a large economic system as China, averaging more than 9% growth over the past thirty years—an unprecedented historical achievement—reform and opening up has been an important opportunity for Hong Kong, and we have fully utilized this opportunity. Hong Kong's economy has developed to its current level because it has received support from the central government and the care of 1.3 billion compatriots nationwide, plus the joint efforts of the Hong Kong people. This is the primary reason for overcoming each difficulty one by one.
Regarding personal work and hobbies, Mr. Tang stated, "I completely disengage from my family business." Coming from a business family, some have questioned whether his public office appointment was for family interests. Mr. Tang said, "When I joined the government, I placed all shares of my family company into a trust fund, allowing me to join the government. Moreover, I completely disconnect from the family business, so after the public learned of my arrangements, they generally accepted them."
Speaking about why he accepted the position of Financial Secretary in 2003 under difficult circumstances, Mr. Tang indicated that it was partly due to his interest in industrial and commercial economics, partly out of a sense of responsibility to Hong Kong society, and also because of Mr. Tung Chee-hwa's sincerity.
Mr. Tang's love for red wine is almost universally known in Hong Kong. Discussing this topic, Mr. Tang laughed and said, "Red wine is an interest I've cultivated over decades. For me personally, it's just a personal interest. In Western culture, red wine is also an important part. Additionally, red wine is an economic industry. Since we reduced the red wine tax, the economic activity around red wine has greatly increased, thereby creating more job opportunities." Besides red wine, Mr. Tang also mentioned his lifelong love for sports. Although his time for exercise has decreased since joining the government, he still finds time to play badminton and swim. (People's Daily Online, Hong Kong, December 5th)