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.
The vice president said it is the third time for him to make an inspection tour to Hong Kong since Hong Kong returned to the motherland in 1997. He said every time he stepped on the land of Hong Kong, he felt excited.
He extended, on the behalf of Chinese President Hu Jintao, greetings to the Hong Kong compatriots and best wishes for them.
He said the central government has 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 basic national policy and that under no circumstances will this policy be changed.
Zeng said the central government will continue to handle the Hong Kong affairs according to the Basic Law, support the HKSAR government to administer affairs according to law and improve its governance.
The vice president pledged that the central government will continuously push ahead with the cooperation between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland in economic, trade, science, education, public health, sports and other fields.
He said the central government will further implement the Chinese mainland/Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and support Hong Kong to consolidate its status as international financial, trade and shipping center.
The vice president also urged the Hong Kong compatriots to grasp opportunities to speed up development, and called on them to make all out efforts for Hong Kong's further 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.
"Hong Kong compatriots, let us make continuous efforts, for a better Hong Kong tomorrow, for a more prosperous and powerful motherland!" the vice president said.
At the banquet, Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang extended a warm welcome to the vice president on behalf of the HKSAR government and Hong Kong citizens.
He 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 the 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 Liao Hui, Henry Ying Tung Fok and Tung Chee-hwa, and Macao Chief Executive Ho Hau Wah attended the banquet.
Before the banquet, Zeng Qinghong met with Ho Hau Wah and heads of the HKSAR administrative, legislative and judicial organs.
In the morning, Zeng Qinghong inspected Shatin Race Course to get firsthand information about Hong Kong's preparation 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 very glad to know that Hong Kong ranks top in the world in horse quarantine and pharmaceutical check-up. "
Hong Kong deserves to have more world No ones," he said.
The vice president also visited families of local citizens and the elderly at an old folk's living quarters here on Sunday. Zeng presented a community nursing center with a gift package including two massage chairs and 220 sets of blood-pressure meters.
In the afternoon, Zeng inspected the Second Phase of the Hong Kong International Financial Center and was briefed on the latest financial information by Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority Joseph Yam.
While meeting with heads of the central government organs in Hong Kong and Chinese mainland-funded ventures, the vice president said he hoped these organs and ventures will make all out efforts to support the HKSAR government to administrate by law and make greater contributions to Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability.
Source: Xinhua
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