Full text: Address by President Hu at meeting for HKSAR's 15th anniversary
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E-mail Xinhua, July 1, 2012
Fellow Compatriots, Dear Friends,
While fully recognizing the remarkable achievements Hong Kong has made since its return to the motherland 15 years ago, we should also be sober-minded of the deep-seated problems and challenges in the Hong Kong society. The next five years are of great significance to Hong Kong's long-term development and will be a period of important opportunities which Hong Kong must seize and take advantage of. I hope the new SAR government and the people of Hong Kong will work harder in the following four areas.
First, promote social harmony and stability. Harmony and stability underpin development, while improving people's livelihood is essential for building a harmonious and stable society. It is imperative for the new SAR government to follow the principle of putting people first in its administration, accurately gauge public opinion and take concrete and effective measures to properly address issues concerning people's livelihood and social tensions. The SAR government should pay greater attention to ensuring equal opportunities, heed the concerns of disadvantaged groups and care about the younger generation so that the people of all sectors in Hong Kong will share the benefits of the city's development and lead a better life. People from different social groups and sectors in Hong Kong should bear in mind the overall interests, follow the call of loving the motherland and loving Hong Kong, work for the broadest unity, wholeheartedly support the new SAR government in effectively administering Hong Kong pursuant to law, and increase the cohesion of the Hong Kong society.
Second, uphold the authority of the Basic Law. Rule of law is a core value of Hong Kong. The Basic Law has the supreme status in the legal system of the Hong Kong SAR and is the legal basis for administering Hong Kong pursuant to law. It is essential to put into practice each and every provision of the Basic Law and improve the institutions and mechanisms related to the implementation of the Basic Law. The executive, legislative and judicial branches of the Hong Kong SAR should take the lead in strictly observing the Basic Law, firmly upholding the Basic Law and performing their duties in accordance with the Basic Law. Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the political system and democracy have developed in an incremental and orderly manner, and achieved much progress. We should continue to advance the democratic process in Hong Kong as provided for in the Basic Law and the relevant decisions of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.
Third, enhance competitiveness. Hong Kong must work hard to increase its competitiveness if it is to win in the increasingly intense regional and international competition. It must have better strategic planning for its long-term development and bring into better play the role of the government in promoting economic and social development. It must update its development concepts, encourage and support various innovation programs, enhance the services sector and foster new economic growth points. It must have a thorough understanding of the profound changes in the global economic landscape, make full use of its extensive international reach and its advantages in other areas and grasp critical opportunities for development. At the same time, it is all the more important for Hong Kong to take advantage of the vigorous economic development on the mainland to expand and deepen its exchanges and cooperation with the mainland in order to achieve mutually complementary, win-win and common development.
Fourth, strengthen human resources development. Human resources are the most important strategic resources and lie at the heart of competition in today's world. It is essential to develop education, science and technology and culture with a view to turning out all types of high-caliber professionals at all levels required for the development of various sectors. Priority should be given to nurturing people of leadership quality who love the motherland and Hong Kong, outstanding young potential political leaders in particular, by providing opportunities and platforms for them to stand out and acquire capabilities so that they will carry on the tradition of loving the motherland and Hong Kong and the cause of "one country, two systems".
Fellow Compatriots, Dear Friends,
The central Government will remain committed to implementing the principles of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy, to fully supporting the chief executive and the Hong Kong SAR government in carrying out administration according to law and to maintaining and promoting the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong together with the people of all sectors in Hong Kong. We are confident that with the joint efforts of the Central Government, the Hong Kong SAR government and people of all sectors of Hong Kong, efforts to practice "one country, two systems" will bear richer fruits and the road to common prosperity and development of both Hong Kong and the mainland will open broader prospects.
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