Vice President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at a welcoming banquet on July 7, 2008.

Vice President Xi Jinping expressed his hope here Monday of building a more prosperous Hong Kong with a brighter future.

Xi made the remarks before the welcoming dinner at the Shangri-La Hotel hosted by the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

Xi said Chinese President Hu Jintao emphasized four points on March 6 to Hong Kong and Macao SAR governments and people from all sectors of the two SARs: first, focus on developing the economy; second, effectively improve people's livelihood; third, promote democracy in an orderly and gradual manner; and fourth, enhance harmony by being inclusive and working together.

"In fact, these are what have underpinned the successful implementation of the policy of 'one country, two systems' since Hong Kong's return to the motherland," Xi said.

Focusing on developing the economy enables Hong Kong to grow more prosperous, play a more important part in the country's overall development and occupy a more favorable position in global competition, he said.

    Vice President Xi Jinping (C) meets with principal administrative, legislative and judiciary officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in Hong Kong, July 7, 2008.

Effectively improving people's livelihood makes life better for Hong Kong people and enables them to share in Hong Kong's prosperity and development, he added.

Promoting democracy in an orderly and gradual manner is conducive to enhancing consensus for steadily advancing democracy in Hong Kong. And by enhancing harmony through inclusiveness and solidarity, a social environment favorable to building a harmonious and prosperous Hong Kong will be fostered on the basis of upholding the policy of "one country, two systems" and the principle of the Basic Law, Xi explained.

Xi said the future of Hong Kong has been in the hands of Hong Kong compatriots since its return to the motherland. The city has been more than ever closely linked with the future of the motherland.

"We firmly believe that with the strong support of the motherland and the united efforts of the SAR government and Hong Kong people of all sectors, Hong Kong will overcome all risks, difficulties and challenges on its way of development," Xi said.

The future will be better for Hong Kong and lives will be better for the Hong Kong people. This "Oriental Pearl" of the motherland will shine even more brightly in the years to come, he lauded.

Xi arrived in Hong Kong Sunday morning on a three-day visit.

(Xinhua News Agency July 8, 2008)