Facts have shown convincingly that "one country, two systems," is entirely workable, said Chinese President Jiang Zemin Monday in Hong Kong.
Jiang made the remarks at the Celebrations of the Fifth Anniversary of Hong Kong's Return to the Motherland and Inauguration of the Second-term Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).
The past five years since Hong Kong's return to the motherland saw "one country, two systems" being translated from a scientific concept into a vivid reality, Jiang said.
The SAR Government under the leadership of Tung Chee Hwa has made remarkable progress by closing ranks with the people in Hong Kong and overcome one difficulty after another, he added.
Jiang noted that Hong Kong continues to enjoy the reputation as one of the most dynamic regions in Asia and the world as a whole, retaining the status as a free port and international center of trade, finance and shipping.
"Facts have shown convincingly that 'one country, two systems,? is entirely workable, that Mr. Tung Chee Hwa and the SAR Government under his leadership have the talent and ability to sit on top of complicated situations and that Hong Kong people are fully capable of administering Hong Kong successfully," he said.
Jiang Asks for Joint Efforts in Implementing "One Country, Two Systems"
Jiang called for joint efforts of the Central Government, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government and Hong Kong people to implement "one country, two systems."
He stressed that "one country, two systems" is a brand new cause, which must be implemented, along with the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR, in a comprehensive and accurate manner under any circumstances.
Jiang urged full support be given to the Chief Executive and the SAR Government in their administration under the law and effective efforts be made to strengthen the broad-based unity of the Hong Kong people under the banner of loving the country and loving Hong Kong and to maintain a stable and harmonious society and a prosperous and growing economy in Hong Kong.
"As long as we persist in so doing, we will surely surmount all difficulties on the road to progress and the cause of 'one country, two systems' will surely achieve even greater successes," Jiang said.
Jiang Highlights Motherland's Support for HK
The President highlighted the supportive role of the motherland in keeping Hong Kong's prosperity and the implementation of the "one country, two systems" concept.
Jiang reviewed the process from the inception of the concept to its successful implementation in Hong Kong and spoke highly of the deceased Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping's wisdom, creativeness and bold vision in founding the concept.
"In reviewing this process, we feel all the more strongly that what has become of Hong Kong today has not come by easily," Jiang said.
"Indeed, it is the growing prosperity of the motherland that ensured the smooth return of Hong Kong and its successful implementation of 'one country, two systems,' thereafter. It also provides a reliable backing for the long-term social stability and economic prosperity in Hong Kong," Jiang continued.
Jiang Urges Hong Kong People to Keep Abreast with Times
President Jiang urged the Hong Kong government and people to keep abreast with the times as the next five to ten years are crucial for Hong Kong's economic and social development.
Jiang said that the Hong Kong SAR government and Hong Kong people from all circles are required to keep abreast with the times, work hard and bring about an even better future for Hong Kong.
He noted that the current trends towards a multi-polar world and economic globalization are developing in greater depth. Moreover, with rapid advancement of science and technology and increasingly fierce competition in countries' overall national strength, the international situation is undergoing certain profound changes.
"We must adapt ourselves to such new circumstances and do still a better job in promoting our national development," the president stressed.
Thanks to two decades of reforms, opening-up and modernization drive, Jiang held, China's overall national strength has increased substantially and the Chinese people on the whole have enjoyed a comfortable living standard.
Jiang stated in his speech that China's mainland has entered into a new stage of development in the new century, a stage of building a well-off society across the country and expediting the socialist modernization while fulfilling the third-phase strategic objectives of the modernization program.
He said, "We must firmly grasp the strategic opportunity at the early 2lst century, keep abreast with the times and press ahead with continued reform, opening-up and modernization."
Jiang Hopes HK Compatriots to Become Better Masters of Motherland
President Jiang expressed the hope that Hong Kong people will do still a better job in adapting themselves to the new Hong Kong after 1997 and become better masters of Hong Kong, and of the great motherland too.
Jiang recalled that at the first anniversary of Hong Kong's return, he had said that important turn of history had put every Hong Kong compatriot to a test, and only those who could comply with the historical changes and had a genuine understanding of their new responsibilities could seriously get down to the shaping of Hong Kong's future role as masters of their own house.
"Our Hong Kong compatriots were not only masters of the Hong Kong SAR, but also of the country," he said.
"They should, therefore, keep enhancing their sense of the country and of the nation, make conscious efforts to safeguard the security and unification of the motherland and endeavor to defend its overall interests," the president said.
The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the eventual reunification of the motherland was the common aspiration of all Chinese, Jiang said, adding that "Everyone, including our Hong Kong compatriots, should devote oneself to this lofty cause with contributions that will make the country, the nation and the times really proud."
Jiang Calls For Improvement of HK Government Performance
The Chinese President said he hoped that the executive, legislative and judicial bodies of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) would constantly improve their job performance so as to provide better services to the public and society.
Jiang said the executive-led structure should be further strengthened, adding that the executive, legislative and judicial offices should go about their respective terms of references in accordance with the Basic Law, and do a better job in ensuring the overall interests of the Hong Kong citizens and serving the Hong Kong society by following the demand for social progress and economic development.
"Civil servants at all levels, especially ranking officials, should conscientiously submit to and support the leadership of the Chief Executive, work with one heart and strive to achieve fresh successes," he noted.
The president also said people from all walks of life should close ranks under the banner of loving the country and loving Hong Kong, support the work of the Chief Executive and the SAR government and get to grips with solving some major issues bearing on the future social and economic development in Hong Kong.
"I am confident that as long as the SAR government and Hong Kong residents could work together, giving full play to the talent of all social sectors while pooling the strength of the entire Hong Kong society, they will surely succeed in taking good care of Hong Kong," he said.
Jiang Expects News Economic Landscape in Hong Kong
He expressed his hope that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government and the Hong Kong people in general will strengthen their confidence and work persistently towards a new economic landscape in Hong Kong.
Jiang said Hong Kong's future economic success will require the unremitting exploration and hard work of the SAR government and the people of all circles.
Given the current circumstances, it is all the more important not to lose sight of the main advantages of Hong Kong while acknowledging its current economic difficulties and problems, he said.
"With a fairly strong economy and considerable competitive edge, Hong Kong is well-known in the world for its highly open and free economic structure, a fairly complete legal system, a sound business environment and extensive links with the world markets," Jiang said.
What is more, he said, Hong Kong has a contingent of high-quality civil servants, large numbers of successful entrepreneurs and an array of professional talents. "All this will contribute thong Kong's success in future competitions," he added.
Jiang noted that the vast hinterland of China, its rapidly growing economy and rising international stature would also provide Hong Kong with highly favorable conditions for its development.
He pledged that the central government would continue to support and help Hong Kong in its economic recovery and development.
"I am confident that as long as our Hong Kong compatriots carry forward their fine traditions of courage, industry and enterprise, Hong Kong's economy will retain its famed dynamism and be always blessed with a bright future," he said.
( July 1, 2002)
