President Jiang Zemin and Vice-President Hu Jintao met separately
with Tung Chee-hwa, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (SAR), and Edmund Ho Hau-wah, chief executive
of the Macao SAR, yesterday in Beijing. Both SAR leaders are in
Beijing on a regular yearly visit.
Jiang told Tung that "one country, two systems" was a long-term
policy. The first successful step was made when China resumed
sovereignty over Hong Kong five years ago, he said.
Jiang said the policy will be steadfastly followed when dealing
with Hong Kong, adding that the central government will fully
support the chief executive and his administration.
The central government will go all out to help Hong Kong overcome
its current economic slump and maintain its prosperity, Jiang said,
adding that he remains optimistic over Hong Kong's prospects.
When meeting with Ho, Jiang said Macao has enjoyed stable social
and economic development since it rejoined the nation three years
ago.
The new leaders elected at the 16th National Congress of the
Communist Party of China in November will continue to implement the
Party's policy on Hong Kong and Macao, he said.
Both Tung and Ho thanked the president for his strong support for
the SAR governments' work and promised to continue efforts to
develop the regions.
Vice-President Hu Jintao also emphasized that the newly elected
Party leaders will stick to the Party's policies on Hong Kong and
Macao.
The central government will strive to support the two chief
executives and their administrations, Hu said.
(China Daily December 12, 2002)