Chinese President Jiang Zemin urged greater support for maintaining long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao, which he said is a common wish of all Chinese people.

Jiang Zemin made the remark at a joint-group discussion attended by National Committee members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) from Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions (SAR).

Hong Kong and Macao, after they returned to the motherland, have both entered a new development period characterized by freedom from foreign colonial rule and by self-administration under the framework of "One Country, Two Systems", Jiang said. Jiang expressed satisfaction at Hong Kong's economic recovery and stability, speaking highly of the work of the HKSAR Government and reiterating that the motherland will continue to provide strong backing for Hong Kong and Macao in maintaining their prosperity and stability and overcoming difficulties. "Realities in Hong Kong during the last two years and more have fully indicated that the concept of 'one country, two systems' is correct and the principles of 'Hong Kong people administrating Hong Kong' and 'a high degree of autonomy' are viable," Jiang said.

Jiang talked about the smooth return of Macao last December and the current favorable situation in the region. He expressed his belief that the Macao Sar has a bright and promising future, which he said is guaranteed by a firm implementation of the principles of "one country, two systems", "Macao People administering Macao" and "a high degree of autonomy".

During the discussion, the CPPCC National Committee members also voiced opinions on topics such as reunifying the motherland, speeding up the development of western areas, accelerating economic development in Macao and strengthening ties between Hong Kong and the inland areas after China joins the World Trade Organization (WTO).

All Hong Kong and Macao compatriots and overseas Chinese fully support the Chinese government's stance of resolving the Taiwan question soon so as to achieve a complete reunification of the motherland, according to discussion participants. The Taiwan authorities should go with the historical trend and give up their "State-to-State" fallacy to facilitate the development of cross-Strait relations and achieve an early and complete reunification of the motherland, a National Committee member of the CPPCC urged in the discussion.