Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong on Sunday called on Hong Kong's various sectors, strata and political organizations to make concerted efforts to build a prosperous and harmonious Hong Kong.

 

He made the call in a speech while attending the welcome banquet held by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government.

 

Zeng said it was his third inspection tour of Hong Kong since the island was returned to the motherland in 1997. He said that each time he sets foot in Hong Kong, he feels excited.

 

On behalf of Chinese President Hu Jintao, he extended greetings to the Hong Kong compatriots and wished them well .

 

He said the central government had listed the principles of "One Country, Two Systems," "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" with a high degree of autonomy as the country's long-term national policy and that under no circumstances will this policy change.

 

Zeng said central government would continue to handle Hong Kong affairs according to the Basic Law, and support the HKSAR government in administering affairs according to the law.

 

 

He pledged that central government would continuously push ahead with the cooperation between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland in economic, trade, science, education, public health, sports and other fields.

 

Central government would further implement the Chinese mainland/Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and support Hong Kong in maintaining its status as an international financial, trade and shipping center.

Zeng also urged Hongkongers to take hold of opportunities to speed up development, and called on them to go all-out to further Hong Kong's economic and social development.

 

Zeng also called on Hong Kong people from all walks of life to put the overall public interest above everything else, to seek common points while reserving differences, to be tolerant and promote social harmony, in a bid to build a prosperous and harmonious Hong Kong.

 

In an impassioned plea, Zeng said: "Hong Kong compatriots, let us make continuous efforts, for a better Hong Kong tomorrow, for a more prosperous and powerful motherland!"

 

At the banquet, Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang extended a warm welcome to Zeng on behalf of the HKSAR government and Hong Kong citizens.

 

 

Tsang said Hong Kong's economy will continue its all-round development because of the efforts of Hong Kong citizens and the HKSAR government, as well as the care and support of central government.

 

Tsang said: "We treasure all this we have as they do not come easily. We hope to live a beautiful life in a harmonious, stable and prosperous environment."

 

Vice Chairmen of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Liao Hui, Henry Ying Tung Fok and Tung Chee-hwa, and Macao Chief Executive Ho Hau Wah also attended the banquet.

 

On his one-day tour of the island on Sunday, Zeng inspected Shatin Race Course to get firsthand information about Hong Kong's preparations for hosting the equestrian events for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

 

Zeng also inspected a lab for equestrian events and the Jockey Club hospital. He was proud to know that Hong Kong ranks top in the world in horse quarantine and pharmaceutical check-up. "Hong Kong deserves to have more world number ones," he said.

 

He also visited local families and the elderly at an old folk's facility on Sunday. Zeng presented a community nursing center with a gift package including two massage chairs and 220 sets of blood-pressure meters.

 

Zeng then inspected the Second Phase of the Hong Kong International Financial Center and was given a background briefing by Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority Joseph Yam.

(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2005)