On Aug. 1, US Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection Robert Bonner praised the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government for effectively implementing the Container Security Initiative (CSI).
  He also thanked the Chinese mainland for cooperating with the United States against terrorism.
  Bonner made the remarks at a news conference in Hong Kong after watching the operation of CSI at the Kwai Chung Container Terminal, where CSI has been implemented since May 12, after a declaration of principles was signed between Hong Kong and the United States in September 2002.
  Under the initiative, Hong Kong Customs officials will check each and every cargo destined for the United States against terrorist contraband.
  "Let me tell you that I am impressed. Yesterday I met with Commissioner Wong. Today, I went to the Kwai Chung (Container) Terminal, the larger container port here in Hong Kong, and I saw CSI Hong Kong first-hand. I met the CSI Hong Kong team this morning, and I was amazed how quickly they have gotten this program off the ground," he said.
  Bonner said that in talking with the CSI team of the Hong Kong government, he was struck by the friendliness of the Hong Kong customs staff, as well as their strong leadership and professionalism.
  "I want to say on behalf of the American people, we express our deepest and sincere thanks for the efforts that are being made here," he said.
  "...I am convinced that CSI Hong Kong will be a model for all CSI ports throughout the world," the US official affirmed.
  Bonner also told reporters that so far no terrorist contraband has been intercepted as reported by the monitoring team here.
  Through CSI Hong Kong, 10 percent of all sea containers that are destined to the United States from Hong Kong are being covered by CSI.
  Commenting on the recent signing of a declaration of principles between the General Administration of Customs of China and the US side recently, he said the event has been a truly historic anecdote of Sino-US relations and showcases the ongoing efforts of the two nations to combat terrorism.
  "China and the United States stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the world war on terrorism and in our mission to protect the global trading system," he said.
  Currently 16 ports around the world are enforcing CSI.