Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R)meets with Donald Tsang, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR),in Beijing Dec. 28, 2005. Donald Tsang was in Beijing to give a report on his job to the central government. (Xinhua photo)

    BEIJING, Dec. 29 -- Premier Wen Jiabao yesterday called on Hong Kong to focus on economic growth and people's livelihoods while gradually developing democracy in the special administrative region (SAR).

    He praised Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang for his substantial and pragmatic efforts to promote the city's prosperity and stability over the past half year.

    Hong Kong's overall situation is good, featuring sustained economic growth and social stability, but some deep-rooted problems are yet to be resolved, said Wen.

    "I hope the Hong Kong SAR government and people in all sectors can make concerted efforts and focus on developing the economy, improving people's livelihoods and maintaining harmony in society," he said.

    The premier held a 50-minute meeting with Tsang, who arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for his first duty visit since taking office in June.

    Wen said Beijing's goodwill towards Hong Kong has not wavered and "will continue to wholeheartedly support the Hong Kong government's administration in accordance with law."

    "We will continue to do whatever is good for Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and good for improving people's livelihoods," Wen said. "This policy will not change."

    The premier also pledged to implement necessary policies and measures to enhance exchanges and co-operation between the mainland and Hong Kong.

    Tsang's two-day visit came a week after his administration's constitutional reform package was voted down at the Legislative Council (LegCo).

    He had championed the reform bill for the 2007 chief executive and the 2008 LegCo elections, which included a motion to expand the 800-member committee that elects the chief executive to 1,600. A second motion proposed adding 10 seats to the 60-seat legislature. But opposition lawmakers voted down the package last Tuesday, demanding a timetable for universal suffrage in Hong Kong.

    Wen said developing Hong Kong's democracy has always been the central government's stance, but stressed that the process must be gradual.

    "It should proceed in a stable, healthy, and orderly manner," he said in front of reporters. "This would be advantageous to the fundamental interests of the Hong Kong public."

    At a news conference later yesterday, Tsang thanked the central government and State leaders for their "caring, understanding, supportive and trusting" attitudes towards Hong Kong.

    Tsang said local people need to get over the constitutional reform issue and turn to economic matters.

    "We should not distract our attention any more ... we should concentrate more on economic issues and people's livelihoods," he told reporters. "That's the common aspiration of Hong Kong people."

    Yesterday afternoon, Tsang joined State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan to inaugurate the new office building of the Hong Kong SAR Government's Beijing Office.

    Premier Wen also met Macao SAR Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah yesterday.

(Source: China Daily)