The central government remains steadfast to its commitment to implementing the policy of "one country, two systems" and "a high degree of autonomy" in the special administrative regions (SARs) of Hong Kong and Macao.

The central government also remains committed to the SARs' prosperity and stability, Gao Siren, director of the central government liaison office in Hong Kong, said yesterday.

Gao is in Beijing attending the on-going 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

He said President Hu Jintao had reiterated the central government's stance in his work report to the Party Congress on Monday, further clarifying the policy goal of supporting the two SAR's development.

"All this fully demonstrates the central government's sincerity in implementing the policy of 'one country, two systems'," he added.

If there is going to be any policy change after the Party Congress, it will be changing for good, Gao said.

Past experiences have made it possible for all to gain a better knowledge of this undertaking of "one country, two systems", he added.

"Such a change will only benefit the two SARs and be conducive to their future development."

The central government has adopted a series of effective measures since the handover to help Hong Kong tide over the difficult times, Gao said.

He cited the Asian financial crisis of 1997, the ensuing global economic slowdown and the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak of 2003.

Development and prosperity has always been the central government's sole motive in formulating polices regarding the SARs, Gao said.

In addition to a slew of economic measures in support of Hong Kong, the central government has also backed the SAR government's efforts to advance constitutional development in line with the Basic Law, he said.

President Hu emphasized in his work report the central government's commitment to the advancement of democracy in Hong Kong, Gao added.

Hong Kong is a pluralistic society, where people have greatly varied political orientations and pursuits of interests, he said.

The central government hopes people from all walks of life in Hong Kong will cherish their hard-earned stability and shelve differences, seek common ground in their pursuit of economic development and building a harmonious society, Gao said.

(China Daily HK edition October 17, 2007)