In a meeting with principal officials of the Hong Kong SAR at the Government House, Li expressed his wish and confidence that the SAR officials will adhere to the "one country, two systems" principle and the Basic Law to boost Hong Kong's image as a "city of life."

Li stressed that the administration of Hong Kong concerns the image of the Chinese nation.

He told the officials that the whole world is watching them to see whether they could administer Hong Kong well, and all the people of China wish them to govern Hong Kong better than former British rulers.

Li conveyed the best regards and wishes from President Jiang Zemin, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Li Peng and Premier Zhu Rongji, and spoke highly of the work of the Hong Kong SAR government in the past three years.

Under the leadership of Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa and with the concerted efforts of the Hong Kong people, Hong Kong successfully defended against the compact of the Asian financial crisis, he said.

The fulfillment of Hong Kong has fully demonstrated the correctness of the "one country, two systems" principle and wisdom of the concept of "Hong Kong people can administer well Hong Kong" proposed by Deng Xiaoping, he added.

Li pointed out that it is crucial to carry out to the letter the principles of "one country, two systems," "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong," and a high degree of autonomy, in order to maintain Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability as well as Hong Kong people's interests.

The central government will unswervingly implement the "one country, two systems" principle and support the SAR government to administer Hong Kong in accordance with the Basic Law, he stressed.

He also hoped and believed that the Hong Kong principal officials will consistently handle issues in accordance with the " one country, two systems" principle and the Basic Law.

As a matter of fact, he said, the "one country, two systems" is unprecedented and it is hard to be free from some problems and difficulties.

But if everyone works hard and in full cooperation, Hong Kong will surely become better and better, he added.

Li Ruihuan came to the Government House at 5:00 Sunday afternoon, accompanied by Jiang Enzhu, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR.

With introduction of Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa, Li shook hands and took a group photo with Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal Andrew Li, Administrative Secretary Anson Chan, Financial Secretary Donald Tsang, Secretary for Justice Elsie Leung, Executive Council Convenor Leung Chun-ying, Legislative Council President Rita Fan.

(Xinhua 11/6/2000)