Premier Zhu Rongji pledged yesterday that the central government
will, as always, give its all-out support to Hong Kong's
development and step up the mutually complementary exchanges
between Hong Kong and the mainland in a quest for common
development.
"The central government and all the Chinese people have confidence
in Hong Kong, the shining pearl of China. It will always have a
bright future," said Zhu when addressing the welcoming dinner held
by the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
(SAR).
Zhu said Hong Kong cannot treat its economic difficulties lightly,
but added that he believed it could overcome them and go on to
achieve new levels of success.
"The hope is with the 6 million Hong Kong people and the young
generation," Zhu said.
In
his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 16th World
Congress of Accountants, Zhu also praised Hong Kong's "unique,
irreplaceable" role in China's modernization drive.
The experience of Hong Kong since its return to China five years
ago, demonstrates that the "one country, two systems" formula has
not only enabled it to retain its former systems and
characteristics in its continued role as an international trade,
financial and shipping centre, but also enabled it to acquire
greater support and even broader scope for development through its
ties with the mainland, Zhu said.
It
is true that Hong Kong is experiencing some difficulties in its
economy right now, Zhu said, but its advantages remain.
Neither its economic strength nor its international competitiveness
has declined, he said, noting that Hong Kong is a place of numerous
talents, blessed with a contingent of top professionals and
entrepreneurs, accountants included. "This is where Hong Kong's
competitive edge lies," Zhu said.
During yesterday's meeting with the members of the Hong Kong Chief
Executive's Council of International Advisers, Zhu said that the
principle of "one country, two systems" provides Hong Kong with a
strong guarantee and good mechanism for prosperity and
stability.
In
"one country," he said, Hong Kong enjoys the powerful backing and
broad hinterland of China's mainland, while under the "two
systems," Hong Kong can give full rein to its own advantages and
vitality.
The non-official international advisers who attended the meeting
included Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Siemens AG
Karl-Hermann Baumann, Chairman of Lloyds TSB Maarten van den Bergh,
Chairman and CEO of American International Group Maurice R
Greenberg, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of DaimlerChrysler AG
Hilmar Kopper, CEO of AOL Time Warner Inc, Gerald M Levin and
Senior Adviser to the President of the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi
Tasuku Takagaki.
The premier yesterday also met and had brief talks with Edmund Ho
Hau-wah, chief executive of the Macao SAR.
(China Daily November 20, 2002)