Vice-President Zeng Qinghong, who is in charge of Hong Kong affairs, Tuesday called on the SAR's residents to stand united and live in harmony.

He said Hong Kong people could express their views in many ways, but whatever method they adopt, it must be in the interest of stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.

Zeng -- now in Tunisia on a four-day official visit -- when asked by Hong Kong reporters about the July 1 procession and the demonstrators' quest for universal suffrage, noted that the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress had made an interpretation and a decision with regard to electoral arrangements in 2007/08.

Hong Kong people can, of course, voice their aspirations, including democracy, "and I guess they can express their views in many ways", Zeng said.

"But whatever the methods, they must be for the good of 'One Country, Two Systems' and the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong."
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He stressed that Hong Kong has strengths in many areas, and the current difficulties it faces resulted from economic restructuring and the international economic downturn.

The central government has always supported Hong Kong in its economic development, but Hong Kong people must value unity.

"We must be united. We must strive forward and work hard," he said. "Under no circumstance should Hong Kong people stay divided and polarized."

It was the first time that Zeng had commented on the mass rally scheduled for July 1.

In Hong Kong, Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa also called on the local people to display unity and the fighting spirit of the dragon-boat rowers.

"The government will work with the people to push the economy to new heights, improve livelihoods and create employment," he said after presenting a trophy to the winner of the Chief Executive Cup Dragon Boat Race at the Aberdeen promenade Tuesday.

"We hope all citizens will show unity, fighting spirit and join hands to build a stable and harmonious society."

Separately, Peng Qinghua, a deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong, said the "pro-democracy" camp needs to show sincerity in order to communicate with the central government.

"We can sit down and discuss any constructive suggestion rather than confront each other. There will hardly be any in-depth communication if the situation is in a confrontational mode," he said Tuesday.

Asked if the July 1 procession is tantamount to confrontation, Peng said it depends on the motives of the organizers.

"I think people can judge whether the purpose of the procession is to facilitate communication or something else," he said.

He added that he disagreed with the slogan "return power to the people" that the marchers plan to use on July 1.

(China Daily HK Edition June 23, 2004)