"A strong motherland provides strong backing to our community and our prosperity, and underpins the successful implementation of 'one country, two systems'," Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa said Tuesday afternoon.
To ensure greater success in implementing the 'one country, two systems' principle, the people of Hong Kong should all endeavor to care more about the country, its prosperity, unity and security, Tung remarked to an audience of about 3,000 attending the National Day cocktail reception held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center to celebrate the 53rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China
Tung made the call, as he told the audience that China has continued its dramatic pace of development in the past year and made great achievements.
"Today, I am filled with pride and joy as we celebrate our National Day. Of all the countries in the world, few hold out such promise as China.
"Government leaders, politicians and scholars have all made various predictions about our country's development in this new century. And although the details may vary, one thing they all have in common is the emergence of China as a political and economic power on the world stage," he said.
So the people of Hong Kong should be proud of playing a part in this remarkable transformation of our country and be proud of our country's achievements, he said.
Tung cited the spectacular economic development of China vis-a-vis that of other countries, saying that the world has seen China significantly improve the quality of life for its people, maintain political stability in the country and raise its standing in the global arena.
He particularly highlighted the Hong Kong SAR's continuous rolein acting as the gateway between the prospering China and the restof the world.
"In the 21st Century, especially in these early years so full of promise and opportunity, our country will continue to move ahead rapidly. And we in Hong Kong must grasp the chance to unite ourselves and maintain our confidence in moving ahead.
"As we scale new heights for Hong Kong, we must continue to contribute to the further prosperity of our motherland," Tung said.
The cocktail reception was attended by, amongst others, Vice-Chairman of the National Committees of the CPPCC Henry Fok, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR Gao Siren, Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR Ji Peiding, Commander of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Garrison in Hong Kong Xiong Ziren, Political Commissar of PLA Garrison in Hong Kong Wang Yufa.
(Xinhua News Agency October 2, 2002)
