Donald Tsang, while announcing on Thursday his decision to run for the election of Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), made public his policy blueprint for the next two years if he is elected.
He made the announcement at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.
Tsang said he recognizes that it is the duty of the Chief Executive to faithfully implement in Hong Kong the principles of "One Country, Two Systems", and "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" in accordance with the Basic Law.
He pledged that he would strive to achieve this by acting strictly in accordance with the Basic Law, showcasing Hong Kong's contribution and commitment to the betterment of the country.
It is also the Chief Executive's duty to rekindle people's faith in the SAR leadership's ability to govern with vision and passion.
Further, he said to he would work to prove the administration's determination to be accountable to and responsible for all the people of Hong Kong. "Mine will be an inclusive administration, not one that favors special interests.
"We will cherish the cosmopolitan nature of our community where all ethnic minorities are proud of our citizenship and our expatriates readily choose to settle here for good," he added.
With regard to the SAR's relationship with the mainland, he said: "We have to remain a dynamic part of our country that continues to contribute to China's program of anchoring its place on the world stage."
He also plans to promote Hong Kong citizens' sense of patriotism so that they will take pride in the nation's culture and achievements.
He said he needs the support of Hong Kong's 7 million citizens.
"We have to augment our political super-structure that touches on the role and development of political parties and empower the governing team to work more closely together to effectively implement the agreed policies.
"We have to make the administration more accessible, transparent and accountable to our citizens," he added.
On constitutional development, he said: "We have to move steadily and purposefully towards the ultimate objective of universal suffrage as prescribed in the Basic Law."
On economic development, he said: "We have to leverage our openness, our free flow of information, our respect for the rule of law, our sense of fair play and our entrepreneurial flair to fortify our position as a global business center, living up to our aspiration as 'Asia's world city'."
Tsang added: "I deeply believe that, for Hong Kong, the best is still to come.
"I want to lead in a way that brings our people together, that unites us in facing the tough challenges of a changing society in which we all live.
"Have faith in Hong Kong; a great city that I want us all to feel part of, in whose future we all have a stake.
"Have faith in Hong Kong; a great city that I want us all to feel proud of, in which, what I want for my own children, I want for yours."
(Xinhua News Agency June 3, 2005)
