Speeches and Articles by Former Consul General Michael Klosson

July 4 Welcome Remarks

by U.S. Consul General Michael Klosson

Madame Chief Secretary, honored guests, I am delighted to welcome you today to this independence celebration of the 224th anniversary of the United States of America, our first in Hong Kong!

I am particularly pleased to celebrate this Fourth of July with you in Hong Kong because I believe this commemoration also celebrates the many values that we share, and that have worked well for both the United States and Hong Kong: individual liberty, freedom of speech and press, tolerance of cultural diversity, the rule of law, and freedom of religion, to name just a few.

America and Hong Kong are important to each other in many ways. Our people enjoy a friendly and beneficial relationship that goes back over 150 years. In fact, our Consulate was established in 1843.

Some 50,000 Americans and 1,100 American companies call Hong Kong home. They make important contributions to Hong Kong's society, providing jobs for Hong Kong workers, teaching in Hong Kong's universities and contributing ideas for addressing the challenges facing Hong Kong in its quest to become the world city in Asia.

We cooperate in international economic policy, and seek to build a consensus for a new round of global trade negotiations. We work together to fight crime, to protect intellectual property rights, to arrest drug traffickers and to halt weapons proliferation. We exchange scholars and visits, including the visits of men and women on board U.S. Navy ships who are excited to call here regularly.

Hong Kong has now returned to China under the "one country two systems" policy, but it is not just another city in China. The people of Hong Kong value their unique character and role, and the United States is interested in Hong Kong's continued vitality, stability and prosperity.

Hong Kong has also played a positive role in the context of the U.S. relationship with China. The recent vote in the U.S. House of Representatives to approve permanent normal trade relations for China was a significant development. As a prosperous and open Chinese city governed by the rule of law and respect for personal freedom, Hong Kong helped illuminate for visiting Members of Congress some of the issues at stake. It provided a window on the kind of future China can achieve through increased integration in the international economy.

Before closing, I wish to acknowledge the presence of Florinda Chan, the Chief Secretary for Administration and Justice of the Macau Special Administrative Region at tonight's reception. Thank you for coming. U.S. relations with the new Macau government are off to an excellent start.

Given the many people in Hong Kong and Macau who are friends of America, we decided to hold a larger, more inclusive event this year. We hope to tease your taste buds with a "taste of America." By moving through the various stops around the ballroom, you can take a culinary journey from the West to the East Coast as well as through the heartland and the South. And we hope you will also enjoy the American wine, beer and other beverages. My thanks to the various sponsors from the American business community in Hong Kong for their support.

Now, it is my pleasure to propose a toast: To the People's Republic of China and the people of the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions.

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