Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Friday reiterated the "unshakable goal" to maintain the long-term stability and prosperity of Hong Kong and Macao and the "full support" to the chief executives and governments of the two regions.

Delivering a report on the government work at the national legislature's annual session, Wen said the mainland will act in strict accordance with the basic laws of the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.

"We will unite as broadly as possible people from all walks of life in Hong Kong and Macao and effectively implement the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement between the mainland and Hong Kong and the mainland and Macao," he said.

The mainland will adhere to the basic principle of "peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" and, during this current stage, to the eight-point proposal for developing relations across the Taiwan Straits and promoting the peaceful reunification of the motherland, Wen said.

"We will vigorously expand visits of individuals across the Straits and economic and cultural exchanges and energetically promote establishment of the 'three direct links' between the two sides."

The mainland will protect the legitimate rights and interests of the Taiwan compatriots on the mainland in accordance with the law and continue to pursue the resumption of dialogue and negotiations between the two sides on the basis of the one-China principle, said the premier.

"With the utmost sincerity, we will do everything possible to bring about the peaceful reunification of the motherland," he said.

"We stand firmly opposed to any form of separatist activities aimed at 'Taiwan independence' and will never allow anyone to split Taiwan from China by any means," he stressed.

(Xinhua News Agency March 5, 2004)