Chinese President Hu Jintao said in Beijing Saturday that
maintaining stability in Hong Kong is essential for Hong Kong
itself and the country as a whole.
During a meeting with noted industrial and business personages
from Hong Kong, Hu said that in the long run, maintaining
prosperity and stability matters not only to the well-being of the
6.8 million compatriots in Hong Kong, but also to the overall
interest of the Chinese people in general.
It also has great bearing on the undertaking of "one country,
two systems," under which Hong Kong maintains its capitalist system
while the Chinese mainland continues its socialist system, and on
the great cause of peaceful reunification of the motherland, the
president said.
Vice President Zeng Qinghong, Vice Premier Wu Yi and State
Councilor Tang Jiaxuan were among those senior officials present at
the meeting with the delegation, including business tycoons Henry
Ying Tung Fok, Li Ka-shing, Lee Shau-kee and Cheng Yu-tung.
Hu said stability is needed if the problems facing Hong Kong are
to be solved for economic recovery, and it is important to maintain
and improve the sound business environment in Hong Kong so as to
make it more attractive to overseas investors, and consolidate its
position as an international financial, trade, and shipping
center.
Facilitating the progress of various undertakings in Hong Kong
and improving the life of Hong Kong residents also requires
stability.
There would be nothing without stability, as it is a
precondition for development and a guarantee for prosperity, he
added.
To maintain prosperity and stability in Hong Kong calls for
upholding the authority of the Basic Law on the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (SAR), full support for the administration of
Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa and the SAR government he leads
according to law, and concerted efforts by the SAR government and
people from all circles in Hong Kong to invigorate the economy and
improve people's lives, the president said.
The Basic Law, or mini-constitution of Hong Kong, must be
respected, and the Hong Kong SAR government must abide by it, and
all the administrative, legislative and judicial activities in the
SAR must be conducted according to it.
He said Tung has been working hard and has done a lot of work to
maintain prosperity and stability in Hong Kong, and he has the full
trust of the central government.
Industrial and business sectors in Hong Kong have played a
dominant role in the process of economic prosperity in Hong Kong,
and served as an important force in maintaining social stability,
said Hu.
He called on the industrial and commercial community in Hong
Kong to support Tung and the SAR government, improve their ties
with the middle class and other walks of life in Hong Kong, and
make more contribution to Hong Kong's economic development and
revitalization and economic cooperation with the Chinese mainland
for mutual benefit.
The central government will, as always, continue the policy of
"one country, two systems," "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong,"
and a high degree autonomy, said the president.
The president said he believes the support of the Chinese
mainland and the efforts of Hong Kong compatriots will help Hong
Kong overcome its present difficulties, become a better place and
maintain prosperity and stability for a long period to come.
(Xinhua News Agency September 28, 2003)