People in Hong Kong should stay united and tap their full potential to develop the city's economy because that would ensure a bright economic future for the SAR.

 

Premier Wen Jiabao said this in Fiji Islands during an interview with Asia Television (ATV) that was telecast in Hong Kong yesterday.

 

Wen left for New Zealand in the afternoon after winding up his official visit to the South Pacific island country. Fiji was the second leg of the premier's four-nation Asia-Pacific tour that started in Australia and will also take him to Cambodia.

 

Speaking to ATV in Fiji, Wen disagreed with suggestions that the city was in danger of being marginalized because of the mainland's rapid development as foreseen during the 11th Five-Year Guidelines period.

 

On the contrary, he said, the economic development on the mainland would be a major force driving Hong Kong's economy that had an irreplaceable lead in a number of areas.

 

"I don't think Hong Kong will be marginalized in economic development. This is not the case. I have enough confidence in Hong Kong's economic development," he said.

 

He reminded people that he had stated many a time that Hong Kong was the world's freest economy backed by a sound legal system, entrepreneurs with a global vision and connection with different countries and places.

 

These are the advantages that Hong Kong has in order to maintain its position as an international city and a trade, logistics and financial centre - a position that could not be replaced by others, Wen said.

 

Apart from its own strengths is the support it can depend on from the mainland. The city has contributed a lot to the mainland during its 30 years of reform and opening up, Wen said. And now the mainland's economic development will push forward Hong Kong's economy.

 

For instance, he said, Hong Kong's capital amounted to 40 percent of the 600-billion-yuan (US$75-billion) foreign investment on the mainland. Also, the mainland's exports through the city have grown to over US$200 billion.

 

One was bound to achieve as long as one had the will, he said, and encouraged people in Hong Kong to demonstrate the spirit of self-reliance. "Stay united, get things done well in Hong Kong with the same heart and will."

 

It is not only necessary for Hong Kong people to implement the principles of "One Country, Two Systems", "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy in a better manner, but also necessary for the city to live up to its full potential, he said. "By doing that, (they will make) the economic prospect of Hong Kong... brilliant."

 

Aware of the implications that the country's 11th Five-Year Guidelines could have on Hong Kong, the SAR government has tasked its Commission on Strategic Development (CSD) to look into what strategic role the city could play in the greater scheme of things. And many CSD members hold the view that the city could help the mainland converge with world practices in its development.

 

Today, CSD Executive Committee members will meet again to study how the city could strengthen its global position - a topic government policy thinkers have said is interlocked with Hong Kong's role in the country's economic development.

 

(China Daily April 9, 2006)