Chinese President Hu Jintao said in Beijing Saturday that maintaining stability in Hong Kong is essential for Hong Kong itself and the country as a whole.

During a meeting with noted industrial and business personages from Hong Kong, Hu said that in the long run, maintaining prosperity and stability matters not only to the well-being of the 6.8 million compatriots in Hong Kong, but also to the overall interest of the Chinese people in general.

It also has great bearing on the undertaking of "one country, two systems," under which Hong Kong maintains its capitalist system while the Chinese mainland continues its socialist system, and on the great cause of peaceful reunification of the motherland, the president said.

Vice President Zeng Qinghong, Vice Premier Wu Yi and State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan were among those senior officials present at the meeting with the delegation, including business tycoons Henry Ying Tung Fok, Li Ka-shing, Lee Shau-kee and Cheng Yu-tung.

Hu said stability is needed if the problems facing Hong Kong are to be solved for economic recovery, and it is important to maintain and improve the sound business environment in Hong Kong so as to make it more attractive to overseas investors, and consolidate its position as an international financial, trade, and shipping center.

Facilitating the progress of various undertakings in Hong Kong and improving the life of Hong Kong residents also requires stability.

There would be nothing without stability, as it is a precondition for development and a guarantee for prosperity, he added.

To maintain prosperity and stability in Hong Kong calls for upholding the authority of the Basic Law on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), full support for the administration of Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa and the SAR government he leads according to law, and concerted efforts by the SAR government and people from all circles in Hong Kong to invigorate the economy and improve people's lives, the president said.

The Basic Law, or mini-constitution of Hong Kong, must be respected, and the Hong Kong SAR government must abide by it, and all the administrative, legislative and judicial activities in the SAR must be conducted according to it.

He said Tung has been working hard and has done a lot of work to maintain prosperity and stability in Hong Kong, and he has the full trust of the central government.

Industrial and business sectors in Hong Kong have played a dominant role in the process of economic prosperity in Hong Kong, and served as an important force in maintaining social stability, said Hu.

He called on the industrial and commercial community in Hong Kong to support Tung and the SAR government, improve their ties with the middle class and other walks of life in Hong Kong, and make more contribution to Hong Kong's economic development and revitalization and economic cooperation with the Chinese mainland for mutual benefit.

The central government will, as always, continue the policy of "one country, two systems," "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong," and a high degree autonomy, said the president.

The president said he believes the support of the Chinese mainland and the efforts of Hong Kong compatriots will help Hong Kong overcome its present difficulties, become a better place and maintain prosperity and stability for a long period to come.

(Xinhua News Agency September 28, 2003)