15th Anniversary celebrations at Hong Kong House last night along with other events launched in-line with the celebrations.

Steve Barclay, Director of HKETO, said  "On 1st July 1997, Hong Kong returned to Chinese sovereignty, after more than 150 years of British colonial rule and in the past fifteen years, under the principle of 'One Country, Two Systems', Hong Kong has enjoyed what many thought was impossible - a high degree of autonomy and close economic ties with Mainland China.

"In 2011, our trade with Australia increased by almost 70% from 1997 with Australia becoming a significant wine exporter to Hong Kong since the elimination of duties on wine in Hong Kong in 2008.  In 2011, Australia was our 4th largest source of wine imports, after France, the UK and the US.

"Looking ahead, the new government led by the Chief Executive Elect,  Mr C Y Leung, will take office on 1 July.  Mr Leung announced ( on 28 June ) his Ministerial team made up of prominent figures in their fields, with many of them previously having held senior positions in the public service.

"Finally, Hong Kong looks forward to the next 15 years and beyond, not as just another city of China but as the most open, free and international city in China as well as the best gateway to China, and from China to the rest of the world."