Chinese Premier Attends Reception Marking Anniversary of HK's Return to Motherland

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, July 01, 2003

Chinese Premier Attends Reception Marking Anniversary of HK's Return to Motherland

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Tuesday morning attended the Celebrations of the Sixth Anniversary of Hong Kong's Return to the Motherland at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.

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Wen Attends Reception Marking Anniversary of HK's Return

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Tuesday morning attended the Celebrations of the Sixth Anniversary of 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 people of 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 maintain and 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 realize the 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 come and 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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