I refer to your reports published on July 28 and August 1 respectively reporting US Congressman Christopher Cox's comments on Hong Kong's strategic trade control system.
While we are glad to note that the Congressman regards Hong Kong's Customs controls as first-class, we do not agree with his implied view that such controls are not being applied impartially.
Hong Kong has in place a law-based, transparent and stringent control system over trade in strategic commodities. Our controls follow the highest international standards and we enforce them rigorously.
Our major trading partners have repeatedly applauded Hong Kong's efforts on this front.
Such recognition of the stringency and effectiveness of Hong Kong's strategic trade controls system is clearly evident, for example, in the six-monthly report on Hong Kong which the UK Government submitted to its parliament on July 22, the sixth Report of the Hong Kong Transition Task Force, chaired by Congressman Bereuter submitted to the US Congress on May 27, and the US State Department Report under the US-HK Policy Act released in April 1999.
Under the 'one country, two systems' principle as enshrined in the Basic Law, Hong Kong remains a separate Customs territory which has full autonomy in manning its own Customs boundary and regulating the import and export of goods, including strategic commodities.
Under Article 14 of the Basic Law, members of the Garrison stationed by the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR shall abide by the laws of the Hong Kong SAR.
