Chinese Vice President Zeng
Qinghong on Sunday called on Hong Kong's various sectors,
strata and political organizations to make concerted efforts to
build a prosperous and harmonious Hong Kong.
He made the call in a speech while attending the welcome banquet
held by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)
government.
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Zeng said it was his third inspection tour of Hong Kong since
the island was returned to the motherland in 1997. He said that
each time he sets foot in Hong Kong, he feels excited.
On behalf of Chinese President Hu
Jintao, he extended greetings to the Hong Kong compatriots
and?wished them well .
He said the central government had listed the principles of "One
Country, Two Systems," "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" with
a high degree of autonomy as the country's long-term national
policy and that under no circumstances will this policy change.
Zeng said central government would continue to handle Hong Kong
affairs according to the Basic Law, and support the HKSAR
government in administering affairs according to the law.
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He pledged that central government would continuously push ahead
with the cooperation between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland in
economic, trade, science, education, public health, sports and
other fields.
Central government would further implement the Chinese
mainland/Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and
support Hong Kong in maintaining its status as an international
financial, trade and shipping center.
Zeng also urged Hongkongers to take hold of opportunities to
speed up development, and called on them to go all-out to further
Hong Kong's economic and social development.
Zeng also called on Hong Kong people from all walks of life to
put the overall public interest above everything else, to seek
common points while reserving differences, to be tolerant and
promote social harmony, in a bid to build a prosperous and
harmonious Hong Kong.
In an impassioned plea, Zeng said: "Hong Kong compatriots, let
us make continuous efforts, for a better Hong Kong tomorrow, for a
more prosperous and powerful motherland!"
At the banquet, Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang extended
a warm welcome to Zeng on behalf of the HKSAR government and Hong
Kong citizens.
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Tsang said Hong Kong's economy will continue its all-round
development because of the efforts of Hong Kong citizens and the
HKSAR government, as well as the care and support of central
government.
Tsang said: "We treasure all this we have as they do not come
easily. We hope to live a beautiful life in a harmonious, stable
and prosperous environment."
Vice Chairmen of the National Committee of the Chinese People's
Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)
Liao Hui, Henry Ying Tung Fok and Tung Chee-hwa, and Macao Chief
Executive Ho Hau Wah also attended the banquet.
On his one-day tour of the island on Sunday, Zeng inspected
Shatin Race Course to get firsthand information about Hong Kong's
preparations for hosting the equestrian events for the 2008 Beijing
Olympic Games.
Zeng also inspected a lab for equestrian events and the Jockey
Club hospital. He was proud to know that Hong Kong ranks top in the
world in horse quarantine and pharmaceutical check-up. "Hong Kong
deserves to have more world number ones," he said.
He also visited local families and the elderly at an old folk's
facility on Sunday. Zeng presented a community nursing center with
a gift package including two massage chairs and 220 sets of
blood-pressure meters.
Zeng then inspected the Second Phase of the Hong Kong
International Financial Center and was given a background briefing
by Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority Joseph
Yam.
(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2005)
