"Hong Kong residents continue to enjoy a wide range of freedoms and human rights, which have in fact become richer and more inclusive than before the return."

Jose Yu Sun-Say, a Hong Kong member of the CPPCC Standing Committee

"From my perspective, cross-border economic cooperation and development have gone through three phases in the past 15 years: in the first five years, Hong Kong was leading the Chinese mainland; in the second five years, both sides marched together; and in the recent five years, it is the mainland that has been leading Hong Kong."

Eddy Li Sau-hung, president of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Association

"With the support from the central government, the administrations under Tung Chee-hwa and Donald Tsang have led the SAR and the 7 million Hong Kong citizens to maintain unchanged the capitalist system, the lifestyle and the rule of law."

Charles Cheung Hok-sau, president of the Hong Kong Hainan Commercial Association

"A lot of Hong Kong people used to be apolitical, because after all, during colonial times, even the government head was dispatched from Britain. And now people are more heedful of livelihood issues as well as debates in the Legislative Council; they overlook the operation of both the government and the Legislative Council."

Bernard Chan Chi-sze, a Hong Kong deputy to the National People's Congress

"Thanks to the preferential treatment under CEPA, Hong Kong's service industry could take advantage of the early opportunities to enter the mainland market before the deadline for opening the market (to the world which) China has promised the WTO."

Joseph Yeung Che-keung, president of Hong Kong Industry Commerce and Professional Association

"Hong Kong is guaranteed that its common law system will be maintained under its constitution, the Basic Law. The Basic Law guarantees the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle."

Andrew Mak, Hong Kong barrister and chairman of the Hong Kong Bar's Special Committee on Planning and Policy

"Before the return, Hong Kong as a colony was not entitled to legal autonomy. All diplomatic rights were vested in the United Kingdom. Since 1997, the Basic Law to a certain extent has authorized Hong Kong to participate in foreign affairs from the perspective of domestic law."

Tai Hing-shing, current affairs commentator

"When I was little, it was a big thing to go to Hong Kong, and when you brought chocolate, drink and soap back from Hong Kong, you could show off to your classmates; now it is such a normal thing you can go back and forth several times a day even to shop for basic everyday goods. Before, we wouldn't speak Mandarin when in Hong Kong, afraid of getting discriminated; now you do not have such concern. The teachers from my organization now often go to Hong Kong and stay there to visit and study from the autism social organizations there, it's very convenient. I feel like Hong Kong and Shenzhen are like one big city."

Liao Yanhui, 42, secretary-general of the Shenzhen Autism Society

"I found the teaching methods they use are quite different, they use more discussions, presentations and they encourage students to research and innovate. I think I learned more there.

I hope in the future not only students from the mainland go to Hong Kong to study there, but also more students from Hong Kong come to the mainland to study and to work. When I was in Hong Kong, I realized though most people know more about the mainland than before, some still have very limited knowledge of the mainland and have prejudice."

Shi Wei

, 25, mainland journalist who studied at the Chinese University of Hong Kong

Since the return of Hong Kong, the trend of complementary cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong in the animation industry has become increasingly prominent."

Li Lisi, general manager of Guangzhou-based Creative Power Entertaining Co

"Hong Kong remains on its upward course despite the two rounds of international financial crises and the SARS epidemic. It remains an important platform for the opening-up of the mainland."

Chen Guanghan

, director of the Center for Studies of Hong Kong, Macao and the Pearl River Delta at Guangzhou-based Sun Yat-sen University

"The past 15 years after the return have been great. There is more public housing built. Everything is convenient. Most importantly, it is a place that belongs to the Chinese people. I have been persuading my daughter living in Canada to come back. I want my grandson to receive an education in Hong Kong."

Tsang Siu-hing, 83, retiree and grandmother

"Hong Kong is the same vibrant city after 1997, bursting with energy. As an ordinary Hong Kong citizen I am rather happy with my life."

Wong Woo-ping, 63, security guard

"There are more tourists now. It's good for my business. Many of my customers are from the mainland and my Putonghua has improved a lot."

Tony Chow, 40, restaurant owner

(China Daily 07/01/2012 page11)