I think five of them are truly key. The first of these assets is rule of law, the foundation upon which business is conducted. Hong Kong witnessed controversy on this issue over the past 18 months and its vehemence reflected how much people care about this principle. Looking towards the future, protecting this asset needs to remain a primary consideration whenever Hong Kong takes up the still-unfinished tasks in the Basic Law, most notably those contained in Article 23. The second asset is Hong Kong's excellent record in combating corruption over the past two decades.
Corruption drives up costs and causes economic distortions.
It adds uncertainty to the business environment. Information is truly the lifeblood of business, a vital necessity for decision-making and the rational allocation of resources. It's also the fountain of credibility for public institutions. I have heard many comments about the press here in Hong Kong. Hong Kong's fourth asset is its respect for human rights and personal freedom.