””””HONG KONG, July 1 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Tuesday morning
attended the Celebrations of the Sixth Anniversaryof Hong Kong's Return to the
Motherland at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.
””””Accompanied by Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region (HKSAR) Tung Chee Hwa, Wen arrived at the Grand Hall, where the ceremony
marking China's resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong was
held on July 1, 1997.
””””Wen delivered a speech at the ceremony, expressing firstly his wish to
extend, on behalf of the Central Government and the peopleof all ethnic groups
throughout the country, warm congratulations and good wishes to the Government
of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), and to compatriots and
people from all walks of life in Hong Kong.
””””Wen reiterated earnestly that the new Central Government will, as always,
unswervingly implement the policy of "one country, two systems," act in strict
accordance with the Basic Law, fully support the Chief Executive and the HKSAR
government in their administration according to law, safeguard all the rights
and freedoms the local residents enjoy under the law, and unite with people from
all circles in Hong Kong in a joint effort to maintainand promote prosperity,
stability and development of Hong Kong.
””””Wen said practices in the past six years have fully testified to the fact
that the great concept of "one country, two systems" put forward by Mr. Deng
Xiaoping has strong vitality, that the basic policies of "one country, two
systems," "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of
autonomy and the Basic Law of the HKSAR are completely correct, and that the
peopleof Hong Kong who are now masters of their own destiny are fully capable of
administering Hong Kong well.
””””"This is a conclusion proven by history and witnessed by the entire world,"
he said.
””””The premier said Hong Kong has traversed an extraordinary path and
withstood all kinds of tests in the past six years since its return, including
the Asian financial crisis shortly after its return and the scourge of Severe
Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)since the beginning of year 2003.
””””"However, we are gratified that the HKSAR Government headed by Mr. Tung
Chee-hwa, working together with our Hong Kong compatriots, responded calmly and
with resolve and succeeded in maintaining Hong Kong's stability and
development," he said.
””””"Hong Kong is like a huge vessel on its journey, braving waves and riding
through turbulent currents and dangerous rapids," he added.
””””Wen noted that it is the shared aspiration of the Hong Kong people and an
important mission of the HKSAR government to realizethe economic rejuvenation
and social progress of Hong Kong and people have all the reasons to believe that
Hong Kong will have a better tomorrow.
””””To build an even better tomorrow for Hong Kong, it is most important to
adhere to the basic policies of "one country, two systems," "Hong Kong people
administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy and keep them unchanged
for a long time to comeand firmly observe the Basic Law of the HKSAR, which
ensures long-term coexistence and common development of two systems within one
country, Wen said.
””””Hong Kong will have a better tomorrow because it has competitive
advantages, which will continue to play a role for a long time to come; because
it is always ready to respond to new changes, to reform the old and introduce
the new with great resourcefulness and flexibility; because the SAR Government
and people of Hong Kong are brave enough to forge ahead despite difficulties and
never surrender to adversities; and because it can always count upon the strong
backing of the great motherland, the premier said.
””””"For the future, the Central Government will give its full support to
everything conducive to the prosperity and stability ofHong Kong and to the
common development of Hong Kong and the Mainland," he said.
””””In conclusion, the premier expressed his hope that compatriots in Hong Kong
will cherish the hard-won position as masters of their own affairs and joint
hands and work in one mind to bring about the fresh take-off and a brighter
future of Hong Kong.
””””Wen arrived in Hong Kong Sunday to attend celebrations
for the 6th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.
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