| 102.
The Government will
achieve operating and consolidated balances in 2006-07, at which time the
fiscal reserves are forecast to be $271.2 billion, equivalent to 12 months
of government expenditure.
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Chart 8 Forecast
of consolidated
and operating surplus/deficit |
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Chart 9 Forecast of Fiscal
Reserves Balance |
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103.
It has been my great
honour to lead the preparation of this Budget.
Over the past 30 years, I have often travelled on business.
Whenever I was away, however, I longed to return to Hong Kong, my
home town. In Hong Kong we
have the wonton noodle, "daipaidong" tea, and noisy but lively tea
houses. Also, the night scenes that surround our harbour are so colourful,
dazzling and enchanting and can be found in no other place in the world. So
many lights. I see each light as a symbol of the energy and brilliance of
this great city.
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| 104.
We have all grown up
in Hong Kong. Many of you may
still remember the days of water rationing, when we had to queue up in the
street, bucket in hand, waiting for our turn, and the times when the whole
family had to assemble plastic flowers or put stickers on toys to make
ends meet. We have moved on
past all those times now.
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| 105.
Hong Kong is a vibrant
and dynamic place. With
determination and hard work, we can achieve our goals.
The Hong Kong that we treasure is caring, full of mutual respect,
very free and a great believer in diversity.
Today we are in the rough. It
is high time for all of us to pitch in.
I believe that this is the wish of Members, my government
colleagues, the media and citizens outside this Chamber.
In these difficult times, I see many people rising to the
challenge, working harder and holding their heads up high.
I am confident that we will scale new heights.
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| 106.
Compared with so many
other places, Hong Kong has a promising future. This is founded on the strength and prosperity of our
hinterland. Since
reunification in 1997, we are no longer separated from our motherland by
an accident of history. With
the implementation of "One Country, Two Systems", Hong Kong has
returned to her embrace. We
will continue to help build our nation.
Hong Kong has always been an energetic, free, liberal and
enterprising city. History made us the pearl of the convergence between East and
West. As we forge ahead, we
have a special role to play at the vanguard of our motherland's
integration with the rest of the world.
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| 107.
I look forward to
working with Members of this Council, my government colleagues and the
whole community, to revitalise our economy and to contribute to Hong Kong
and our nation.
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108.
In closing, I would like to share with you the following lyrics6
- Of one mind in pursuit
of our dream All discord set aside With one heart on the
same bright quest Fearless and valiant
inside Hand in hand to the ends
of the earth Rough terrain no respite Side by side we overcome
ills As the Hong Kong story
we write.
6 The lyrics are extracted from the theme song of "Under the Lion Rock" which is in Chinese. The English translation is for the purpose of this Speech. |
