Major Hong Kong newspapers highlighted Sunday Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa's duty visit to Beijing Saturday and the central government's strong support for the Tung Chee Hwa-led HKSAR government.

Wen Wei Po said in its editorial, entitled "The Central Government Firmly Supports Hong Kong's Stability," that Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and several other Chinese leaders met with Tung Chee Hwa, who paid a duty visit to Beijing Saturday.

The high level meetings and the important speeches made by the leaders of the central government indicated to the world that the central government firmly supports Hong Kong's implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle, supports the chief executive's administration by law and Hong Kong's stability, and encourages Hong Kong's economic recovery.

The newspaper even banner headlined an article entitled "Hu, Tung Shake Hands for as Long as One Minute" in its page three, telling correspondent's experience of the central government's care and concern for Hong Kong.

Ta Kung Pao said in its editorial entitled "Hu, Wen Urges Hong Kong to Maintain Stability and Revitalize Economy" that maintaining stability and revitalizing economy should be an important guideline for Hong Kong at present.

The editorial called on the HKSAR government and all Hong Kong residents to take concerted efforts in the process of overcoming the current difficulties.

The newspaper also stressed Tung's pledge that he is capable for maintaining Hong Kong's stability.

The Hong Kong Commercial Daily News carried an editorial entitled "Hu, Wen's Sincere Words, Earnest Wishes Calling for Hong Kong's Stability, Development," saying the Chinese mainland's experience and lessons indicated that to seek economic development, it is very important to maintain political stability.

It said without economic development, it is very hard to maintain political stability, while without political and social stability, economic development could hardly to be achieved.

(Xinhua News Agency July 20, 2003)