A grand reception was held Sunday at the Great Hall of the People for overseas Chinese and compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan to mark the 53rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, which falls on October 1.
More than 1,500 guests were in attendance, including top legislator Li Peng, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Li Ruihuan and Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao.
The reception was hosted by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.
Qian Qichen, vice-premier and member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, conveyed holiday greetings to those present at the gathering, and briefed them on the country's development over the past 53 years.
He said that overseas Chinese and compatriots in HK, Macao and Taiwan have expressed consistent concerns for and have lent their support and assistance to China's reform and modernization drive.
The national economy sustained favorable growth this year with the gross domestic product rising steadily and foreign trade maintaining strong growth momentum.
Qian said that China has seen vigorous progress in the implementation of the strategy to revitalize the nation through science and education as well as in its sustainable development program.
The 16th CPC National Congress scheduled for November will be the first of its kind in the new century, and will inevitably lead Chinese people to make more steadfast and bolder strides towards the socialist cause with Chinese characteristics, Qian said.
Qian reaffirmed that the Central Government will give its utmost support to the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions to implement the basic law. Under the "One Country, Two Systems" policy, Hong Kong and Macao are able to maintain their existing advantages, as well as to obtain more supports and rooms for development from the inland regions.
Qian noted it is the common aspiration of all Chinese people to resolve the Taiwan issue as soon as possible. Direct exchanges across the Taiwan straits have become an "irreversible current."
"We will continue to implement the policy of 'peaceful reunification and one country, two systems' and the eight-point proposal developed by Chinese President Jiang Zemin for the early reunification of the motherland," he said.
(People's Daily September 30, 2002)
