Hong Kong people have once more been urged to unite in creating a more amicable social environment conducive to economic development.

The call came yesterday from Liu Yandong, vice-chairperson of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and head of the United Front Work Department.

Noting that Hong Kong is a pluralistic society, she said it is normal for differences in interests and opinions to exist.

We must follow the principle of One County, Two Systems and allow diversity to thrive under the Basic Law, while improving communication and extending consensus to establish a more harmonious society, Liu said in her luncheon address to professional leaders

Under the One Country, Two Systems principle, all parties and forces in Hong Kong must unite to generate a wider consensus for the economy to recover, she stressed.

While the territory's economy has already seen significant improvement under the leadership of Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, Liu said more deep-seated inconsistencies have to be addressed.

More time is needed to further structural changes and development in the economy, and all forces in society must unite and work towards this common goal, she said.

Liu praised local professionals for remaining rational in the face of recent difficulties.

She said Hong Kong still has its unique advantages, and will not be replaced by any other city on the mainland.

After the luncheon, professional leaders said they hoped Liu's visit will generate more unity and understanding.

Through meetings with representatives of different sectors, I hope Liu has gained a more comprehensive understanding of the situation here, Legislator Lo Wing-lok told reporters.

I am pleased with the exchanges made during the luncheon. It is clear that Liu is on top of all spectrum of opinion from all sectors in Hong Kong, Chairman of the Hong Kong Barrister Association Leung Ka-kit said.

Legislative Councillor Audrey Eu said she hoped Liu would take time to meet with democrats.

Democratic legislators represent a significant majority of people in Hong Kong, and Liu's visit is a good opportunity for the central government to hear different views in the territory. I hope she will meet with a variety of groups before she leaves, Eu said.

Meanwhile, Liu was asked if she is willing to befriend democrats when she visited a Buddhist elderly home in the morning.

All types of communication and understanding is possible if we can uphold One Country, Two Systems and do things in accordance with the Basic Law, Liu replied.

Liu, who is on a five-day visit to the territory, added that she was too busy to meet legislators from the Democratic Party and the Frontier.

Charm visit sows seeds of harmony

In less than three days since her arrival, Liu Yandong, head of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China, has made contact with different sectors of the local community, moving them with her eloquent speeches. Her words and deeds have highlighted the three objectives of her visit.

The first is to dispel Hong Kong peoples misunderstanding about the central government. Under Beijing's active involvement in Hong Kong's constitutional development, the local populace has felt an unprecedentedly strong force at work. Some are suggesting that the central authorities have compromised the SAR's high degree of autonomy and hindered the process of democratization here through high-handed measures. Such misconceptions are not fair to the central government. If they are not clarified in a timely manner, they will inevitably undermine the mutual trust between Beijing and Hong Kong people.

Liu is administering the right cure by emphasizing that the central government has, all through the seven years since the birth of the SAR, been implementing the One Country, Two Systems principle and the Basic Law, supporting the SAR government to rule Hong Kong according to the law, and helping the territory surmount all the difficulties and challenges. Beijing has been sincere and selfless in lending its support to Hong Kong, including the handling of the SAR's constitutional development. All it has done has been for the good of Hong Kong, for the fundamental interests of its people, and for preserving the SAR's long-term prosperity and stability.

If we recall the low profile of the central government when handling Hong Kong affairs and the substantial backing it has provided to the territory since reunification, we will understand that Liu's words ring true. Albeit Liu has not given a special explanation for Beijing's involvement in Hong Kong's political development, she has already provided Hongkongers a clear picture of the central governments intentions.

Another objective is to dissipate the depressing and antagonistic atmosphere permeating Hong Kong society. Ever since July last year, political disputes have perpetuated and social polarization has been aggravated. There has been a general lack of communication and tolerance. Coinciding with the election year, this politicization tendency is jeopardizing social harmony and causing worries among Hong Kong people and the central authorities.

Hence, fully displaying her skills as the chief of united front work, Liu has repeatedly uttered the word harmony. She is appealing to all walks of life in Hong Kong to unite as one and seek common ground and respect differences, irrespective of what social stratum, organization or political party they belong to and no matter who they are. A pluralistic society needs more sense, more dialogue and more tolerance. As the Chinese proverb goes, If the family lives in harmony, all affairs will prosper. Such a simple truth is exactly what Hong Kong people need to carefully digest and seriously ruminate on.

The third objective is to remind Hong Kong people to grasp the opportunity to develop the economy. Having suffered from the Asian financial crisis and global economic downturn, the SAR has been struggling to find the opportunity to rejuvenate its economy and a way to restructure it. Now, with the external economic environment improving, the mainland economy maintaining its speedy growth, and the SAR enjoying a headstart in the scramble for the mainland market, Hong Kong is presented with the golden opportunity to relaunch its economy.

Unfortunately, unnecessary wrangles are distracting the attention of Hong Kong people who may consequently let opportunities slip through their fingers. If they do so, they will pay a heavy price for it.

That is the reason why Liu has given Hong Kong people the advice that development is essential and self-strengthening is the basis. She is trying to remind SAR residents to follow the prevailing trend and seize the opportunities to do a good job in the pivotal tasks of improving the economy and peoples livelihoods. This is the only way to resolve all the conflicts and problems the SAR is facing at the moment.

Liu's three objectives are where lie the hopes of Hong Kong people.

(China Daily HK Edition May 28, 2004)