A call was made on Wednesday to Hong Kong to speed up development and improve harmony by Jia Qinglin, chairman of the 10th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Addressing the welcoming dinner hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, Jia said Hong Kong's development since its return to the motherland fully demonstrated the vitality of the principles of "One Country, Two Systems."

Jia added that the achievements since its return also displayed that the people of Hong Kong were fully capable of administering, building and developing well.

"There is much we can draw on from the extraordinary course the Hong Kong SAR has traversed," Jia said. "And two things deserve our special attention. First, it is crucial to accelerate development. Second, it is essential to enhance harmony in Hong Kong."

Jia also extended his warm greetings and best wishes, on behalf of President Hu Jintao and the central government, to the banquet attendees and the people of Hong Kong.

Jia said that with the strong support of the central government, the Chief Executive and the SAR government, had led the people of Hong Kong in overcoming daunting difficulties and making remarkable progress in economic and social development since their return.

"Hong Kong is enjoying strong economic recovery, social stability, better lives for its people and strong public confidence," Jia said. "Such progress is hard-won and deserves to be cherished by all of us."

Jia said the central government will, in the interest of Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability, continue to implement the policy of "One Country, Two Systems" and the Basic Law, give full support to the law-based administration by the Chief Executive and the HKSAR government and, pursuant to China's 11th Five-Year Plan, promote exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong in all fields.

At the welcoming dinner, Chief Executive of HKSAR Donald Tsang extended to Jia his warmest welcome on behalf of the HKSAR government and the Hong Kong people.

Tsang said Hong Kong's fast developing economy owed much to the hard work and creative spirit of the Hong Kong people as well as the invaluable support of the central government.

He said CPPCC National Committee chairman Jia's presence reflected the central government's staunch support for the HKSAR and the importance it attaches to the Chinese mainland/Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA).

Tsang said the HKSAR government would work with different sectors of the community for the further development of the country and Hong Kong.

Liao Hui and Tung Chee Hwa, both vice chairmen of the CPPCC National Committee, Macao SAR Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah, Zheng Wantong, secretary-general of the CPPCC National Committee, Gao Siren, head of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong and Bo Xilai, Minister of Commerce also attended the banquet.

Before the event Jia also met with principal administrative, legislative and judiciary officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Jia Qinglin arrived in Hong Kong on Tuesday to attend events marking the third anniversary of the signing of CEPA.

(Xinhua News Agency June 29, 2006)