The special relationship we have with the Mainland of China is working, and working well. Teething problems, when they arise, will be resolved amicably and openly together by the Central Government and Hong Kong. Finally, I know some of you may be interested in what we are going to do with the shares we bought as a highly exceptional measure in August last year. Having accounted for all the shares we bought, and explained clearly the reasons for doing so, we swiftly set about distancing the government from the multi-billion dollar equity portfolio. In this regard, the company, operating independently of the government, announced last June a plan to launch a unit trust product designed to track the Hong Kong Stock Exchange's Hang Seng Index.
Work is underway to prepare for the launch of that product.
The unit trust is the first step to achieving that goal. For the past two years, Hong Kong people have found the going rather tough. And, as I noted in The Economist recently, if you look closely through the haze generated by a healthy plural society, you will find a confident city, dedicated people, and a free community passionately committed to the rule of law.