Bolstered ties: Sweden's Minister for Communications & Regional Policy Ulrica Messing and Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding on design co-operation between the Swedish Industrial Design Foundation Managing Director Robin Edman and HK Design Centre Board of Governors Chairman Victor Lo.

Whatever changes the Government decides on the political front, they will not undermine the basic tenets that underpin Hong Kong's society, Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang says.

"Hong Kong remains true to the values and institutions that buttress our development as a separate social, economic and political system from the Mainland; a free society under the rule of law and an open, pluralistic, tolerant and outward-looking community," he added.

Addressing the Swedish Institute of International Affairs Thursday night, Mr Tsang said the One Country, Two Systems principle has been implemented faithfully by the Government and its national leaders.

Ongoing debate indicates Hong Kong's free spirit

"The ongoing debate in Hong Kong is indicative of its free spirit," he said. "In a sophisticated and advanced city like Hong Kong, with its boisterous and outspoken population - it is only natural people will want greater say in how they are governed. Development had to take place under the Basic Law, Hong Kong's mini-constitution."

The Constitutional Development Task Force released its report on ways in which we might work within the parameters of the Basic Law and the National People's Congress Standing Committee's decisions with a view to moving closer to the ultimate goal of universal suffrage as laid down in the Basic Law.

"What we need, and we are seeking views from the community, is a solution that will stand the test of time, will benefit the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and complies with the Basic Law and the decision of the National People's Congress Standing Committee," he said.

Mr Tsang added there are many other aspects to One Country, Two Systems equally as important as political development to underpin Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy.

"As one of the world's most open and externally-oriented economies, we take our international responsibilities extremely seriously," he said. "We gladly play our part as a responsible global citizen."

Hong Kong people's resilience HK's greatest asset

"Events over the past seven years have brought one of those qualities into sharper focus - the resilience and determination of Hong Kong people, who have always been our greatest asset," he said

Mr Tsang today had a second full round of meetings with leading Swedish politicians and business people, updating them on Hong Kong's latest developments.

They included the Minister for Foreign Affairs Laila Freivalds, Minister for Communications & Regional Policy Ulrica Messing, and the Lord Mayor and Stockholm City Council Chairman Barry Andersson.

Mr Tsang also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on design co-operation between the Swedish Industrial Design Foundation and the Hong Kong Design Centre.