The "one country, two systems"" policy might prove successful for Hong Kong, but it may not be suitable for Taiwan, said Taipei City Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday.
"Hong Kong has been under the rule of China for about three years, but it will take time to find out whether `the one country, two systems" principle is a real success in the territory," Ma said. "Even if it proves successful here, it may not be suitable in Taiwan."
PHOTO: REUTERS
Ma made the remark on the first day of his five-day visit to Hong Kong. He was invited by the Hong Kong Policy Research Institute (
He is scheduled to give a speech at 9am this morning during the forum's opening ceremony.
At the dinner celebrating the institute's fifth anniversary yesterday, Ma delivered a speech, entitled, "Taipei's Future and Exchanges between Taipei and Hong Kong" (
About 700 guests, who were either members of the institute or their friends, attended the dinner which was an invitation-only event. Admission was NT$10,000 (US$300) per person.
When talking about the prospects of Taipei, Ma spoke of his ultimate vision of building Taipei into a "world class" capital. He mentioned issues such as urban development, culture, equal employment opportunities, safe urban living and public participation in municipal events.
Concerning exchanges between Taipei and Hong Kong, Ma said that both Taipei and Hong Kong have to continue and further strengthen their cooperation in order to create a "win-win" situation for both cities.
"When I was the deputy chairman of the Mainland Affairs Council (陸委會), I was already calling on the government to pay more attention to Hong Kong. It doesn't matter whether or when the `three links' will eventually take place. Relations between Taipei and Hong Kong should remain intimate," Ma said.
Ma yesterday also visited the Tung Wah Hospital where he was born 51 years ago.
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