Premier Zhu Rongji made the remark Thursday when he joined in a group discussion of HKSAR deputies to the Ninth National People's Congress (NPC), in session here since Monday.

Since its return to the motherland three years ago, the policies of "One Country, Two Systems", "Hong Kong People Governing Hong Kong", and a high degree of autonomy with regard to HKSAR have been fully implemented, Zhu said.

Over the past three years, Hong Kong has experienced problems left over by history and severe impacts of the Asian financial crisis, but the HKSAR government, with the support of the central government, has led Hong Kong people in overcoming difficulties and safeguarding the city as an international financial center, the premier said.

Zhu said there is much room for economic cooperation between Hong Kong and the inland areas of China. Hong Kong has advantages in terms of capital, management expertise, information and international links, while the motherland provides Hong Kong with new, historic opportunities as it is launching its Tenth Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development (2001-2005) and, in particular, the strategy to develop its western regions, he noted.

Hong Kong should maintain social stability and its competitiveness on the world market, which are important conditions for it to maintain its prosperity and better the well- being of Hong Kong people, the premier said. With the motherland providing a strong backing and its people making concerted efforts, Hong Kong will enjoy an even more splendid future, he said.

(People’s Daily 03/08/2001)