Liu Yandong, vice chairman of the10th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, met Monday morning with the visiting Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber of Commerce delegation.
Liu, also head of the United Front Work Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), congratulated the delegation on the newly elected board chairpersons of the chamber and welcomed them to Beijing.
Liu said the united front policy had played a crucial role in the CPC's revolution and was currently playing a crucial role in the promotion of economic construction and reform.
She said the chamber stood for "love for country and love for Hong Kong". "It was the first chamber of commerce in Hong Kong to support the New China, and it contributed greatly to the mainland's construction during the early years," said Liu, adding that the country and its people would never forget the patriotism demonstrated by the chamber.
She said that, although the Hong Kong economy is currently facing several obstacles, the region's legal, geographic and intellectual advantages remain.
She said she believes that Hong Kong residents will unite to overcome all difficulties under the regional administration.
(Xinhua News Agency March 25, 2003)
