At a Hong Kong banquet preluding the opening of the new Disneyland, Chinese Vice-President Zeng Qinghong delivered an upbeat message to the city-state, but disappointed pro-democracy activists by steering clear of contentious subjects.
"It is our common responsibility to ensure that Hong Kong continues to enjoy good governance, solidarity, prosperity and stability," said the Vice-President. "To achieve social harmony in such a diversified society as Hong Kong, the key lies in seeking common ground while reserving differences, and in being generous for common good."
Here is the text of the speech:
"We are gathering here this evening to celebrate Hong Kong Disneyland opening tomorrow, and further prosperity and development of Hong Kong. On behalf of President Hu Jintao and the central government, I'd like to extend to all of you, and through you to people of various circles and all compatriots in Hong Kong, our cordial greetings and best wishes.
"It is the third time for me to be here in Hong Kong since its return to the motherland. Every time I set foot on this land, I have a deep feeling of affinity and exhilaration. This time I have keenly realised that after overcoming various difficulties, including the Asian financial crisis, changes in the external economic environment and the Sars epidemic, Hong Kong has enjoyed a marked economic recovery, an improvement in living standards, sustained social stability and growing public confidence, and that Hong Kong continues to be widely recognised as one of the most dynamic and competitive places in the world. Facts have proven that the policies of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy are absolutely correct and that Hong Kong people are fully capable of administering Hong Kong.
"Compatriots, friends, it is our common responsibility to ensure that Hong Kong continues to enjoy good governance, solidarity, prosperity and stability. The central government has made "one country, two system", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong", and a high degree of autonomy in Hong Kong long-term basic state policies, which will never waver or change at any time and in any circumstances.
"The central authorities will, as always, act in strict accordance with the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR and support the Hong Kong SAR government in its governance according to law and improving its administration. As always, the central authorities will strengthen and advance co-operation between the mainland and Hong Kong in the fields of trade, the economy, science, technology, education, culture and health, and continue to implement the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement between the mainland and Hong Kong. As always, the central authorities will support Hong Kong in maintaining and enhancing its status as an international financial, trade and shipping centre.
"At present, Hong Kong faces a rare opportunity for greater development. It's our common goal to grasp the opportune time and make full use of Hong Kong's favourable geographical conditions and popular support to maintain the irreplaceable and inherent advantages of Hong Kong, add new advantages to it, and make concerted efforts to build a prosperous and harmonious Hong Kong.
"Here I would like to put forward two expectations for our compatriots:
"First, seize the opportunity to accelerate development. The prosperity of our country, rejuvenation of our nation and happiness of our people all depend upon development. Likewise the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong also depend on development. All of us should seize the opportunity and work in an enterprising spirit for development and prosperity with concerted devotion, go all-out to realise further renewal of Hong Kong's economy, add new advantages for economic and social development in Hong Kong, constantly enhance Hong Kong's status as an international financial, trade and shipping centre, and constantly expand the role of Hong Kong as an intermediary and bridge between the mainland and the world. In so doing, Hong Kong is bound to continuously increase its vigour and vitality.
"Second, be generous for common good and promote harmony. An economically prosperous Hong Kong should also be a harmonious and generous Hong Kong. Nowadays, pursuing stability, harmony and development has become an increasing consensus of society in Hong Kong, which underpins increasing good governance and solidarity in Hong Kong. To achieve social harmony in such a diversified society of Hong Kong, the key lies in seeking common ground while reserving differences, and in being generous for common good. Such a spirit is found in the implementation of the policies of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy, in the maintenance of Hong Kong's original social and economic systems and way of life, and in the respect for differences among people in thinking, concepts, values and pursuits of interests. In advocating seeking common ground while reserving differences and being generous for common good, we mean advancing prosperity through harmony and advancing stability through amity by adhering to the "one country, two systems" principle and the HKSAR Basic Law, and under the banner of loving the motherland and loving Hong Kong. All strata, all circles and all political groups in Hong Kong should put Hong Kong's overall interests first and jointly contribute to building a prosperous and harmonious Hong Kong.
"Compatriots, friends, I'd like to quote an exciting passage from President Hu Jintao's speech at the meeting to mark the 60th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese people's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War: Looking over the past, we are seized with emotions of all kinds. Looking into the future, we are full of confidence. In the past 5,000-plus years, the Chinese nation went through innumerable trials and tribulations, but remained as vibrant as ever in its self-improving effort, making indelible contributions to the advancement of human civilisation. Today, the Chinese nation is facing a rare historical opportunity for development and the bright vista of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unfolding before us. All the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation - our compatriots on the mainland, in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan and overseas Chinese, should feel proud to be members of this nation, assume the historical responsibilities of revitalising it, and work hard to write a glorious new chapter in the annals of its development.
"Hong Kong compatriots, let us continue our concerted efforts for a better tomorrow of Hong Kong and a more prosperous and stronger motherland."
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