CRI听力:Cooperation between the Chinese Mainland and HK

Lo Sui On attended the entire process of Hong Kong's return in 1997, a moment that still excites him after more than a decade. As the first NPC deputy from the tourism sector in Hong Kong, Lo is proud of what the region has achieved with mainland support.

"After the return, we experienced the Asian financial crisis in 1997, SARS in 2003 and the global financial crisis in 2008. I cannot imagine how we could have survived all these difficulties without help from the Chinese mainland."

Hong Kong received 45 million tourists last year, more than half from the mainland. Lo says this is good for the economy, although conflicts between locals and visitors exist. Locals complain about pregnant mainland women who give birth in Hong Kong, taking away services and resources from them. They are also displeased about some of the habits of mainland tourists such as eating on subway trains.

As Executive Director of China Travel Service Hong Kong Limited, Lo Sui On believes that different cultural and social habits should not prevent Hong Kongers and mainlanders from looking at each other's brighter side.

"Tourists should represent the place they come from and the values they hold. For a destination like Hong Kong, a small and crowded city, we also have to adapt to the growing number of visitors. Both sides should learn more about the other."

NPC deputy Wong Man Kong, Chairman of M.K. Corporation Limited in Hong Kong, says that even after 15 years, more time is needed for each side to deepen their understanding of the other.

"I believe the public from both the mainland and Hong Kong should be tolerant of each other. It's like a family. Family members have conflicts, but life still goes on. Some recent conflicts involve misunderstanding. We can clear this up as we increase our communication."

Ma Fung Kwok works in the culture and entertainment industry in Hong Kong. During the past 15 years, he has seen more art and cultural exchanges between the mainland and Hong Kong, a win-win process and a development opportunity for both.

Like many residents of Hong Kong, Ma cares about the development of the Chinese mainland. As an NPC deputy, he has raised many proposals regarding agricultural issues and income distribution between the rich and the poor.

"Our soft power is not only about films, books and international communication. It's about each person in this country, who can show their good spirit and manner when they meet other people. That's why income distribution must be improved so that poor people can live with dignity and confidence, and have the ability to intensify our soft power."

Known as "Asia's World City," Hong Kong is a window to China. It is also a family member of this big country, which has various social values. People from Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland both need more time to know and understand each other. Fifteen years is just a beginning.

For CRI, I'm Abhijan Barua.