Li Ruihuan Holds Meeting with CPPCC Hong Kong Members

Li Ruihuan Holds Meeting with CPPCC Hong Kong Members

Li Ruihuan, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), expressed the hope November 8 in Hong Kong that the CPPCC Hong Kong members will make full use of their advantages and offer more opinions to the country.

In a meeting with Hong Kong members of the CPPCC National Committee Wednesday afternoon, Li said Hong Kong members of the CPPCC National Committee are all influential figures, and have contributed greatly to Hong Kong and the mainland for a long time.

He also praised them for their efforts to the smooth transition during the process of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and their support to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government in implementing the "one country, two systems" principle and the Basic Law after the return.

Li pointed out that Hong Kong plays a special role in the national rejuvenation.

The enormous achievement that China scored in the past two decades are first attributed to the direction of Deng Xiaoping Theory, to the painstaking efforts of the Chinese people, and to the great extent to the irreplaceable role of Hong Kong, he said.

Hong Kong's special status determines the unique advantages and situations of the CPPCC Hong Kong members, he noted.

As they can learn more knowledge about the world and can offer opinions different from their mainland counterparts, the central government attaches special importance to their advices, he added.

In referring to the role of CPPCC Hong Kong members after the return, Li stressed that the CPPCC Hong Kong members shoulder no responsibility of consulting and supervising the SAR government and cannot participate in local affairs in the capacity of the CPPCC members.

This is decided by the "one country, two systems" principle, he said, and it will not bring any negative meaning on the role of CPPCC members.

Although CPPCC members participate in the Hong Kong's local affairs in the capacity of citizens, their opinions would generally draw more attentions from the people due to their special status and influence in the community, he said.

He expressed the hope that the CPPCC Hong Kong members will fully realize their responsibilities and missions, and carry forward the fine tradition of loving Hong Kong and the motherland, to make their career of being CPPCC members a lifelong memory.

Henry Ying Tung Fok, vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, presided over the meeting. Five Hong Kong members of the CPPCC National Committee delivered speeches at the meeting.

Li Ruihuan arrived in Hong Kong on Sunday for a five-day visit. He toured the Bank of China Tower and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Wednesday morning.