Chinese President Jiang Zemin met in Beijing Friday with Tung Chee Hwa, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
Tung reported to Jiang on Hong Kong's economic and social development over the past year, and briefed Jiang on ideas for future development of Hong Kong that were put forward in his recent policy address on behalf of the HKSAR government.
Jiang said that he was pleased with the sound economic and social development of Hong Kong over the past year, adding that since the founding of the HKSAR three years ago, Hong Kong has withstood various tests including the Asian Financial Crisis.
The HKSAR government headed by Tung has made great efforts to maintain the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong by resolutely implementing the principle of "one country, two systems" and the HKSAR Basic Law, and the smoothly handling of all affairs in a positive and proper manner, Jiang said.
Jiang placed special emphasis on the importance of maintaining social stability in Hong Kong, saying that history has proved that without a stable political and social environment, nothing can be done, let alone materializing economic prosperity and social progress.
The economic prosperity and development in Hong Kong depends on the country's stability and development, while at the same time, it also calls for a good social and political environment within the HKSAR, as well as the unity and joint efforts of the Hong Kong people, Jiang noted.
Jiang said that he hopes that people in all sectors of Hong Kong will cherish and guard the HKSAR's social stability and continue to support the work of Tung and the HKSAR government in a bid to lay a solid foundation for the long-term stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.
Li Ruihuan, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, also met with Tung and his wife recently.
Li will soon go to Hong Kong to attend the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong at Tung's invitation.
(Xinhua 10/27/2000)
