Hong Kong can certainly maintain long-term prosperity and stability, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Wednesday.

"The central government has been consistent on the policy in Hong Kong of 'one country, two systems,' 'Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong' and implementation of the Basic Law," he told Reuters Editor in Chief Geert Linnebank in an interview on the eve of his European tour.

After Hong Kong returned China, its capitalist system has not changed, its laws have remained basically unchanged, and its way of life has not changed, the premier said.

He noted that Hong Kong people have been enjoying much more democratic rights and various freedoms since Hong Kong's return to China than in any other periods in history.

On the constitutional development in Hong Kong, Wen said that the development should follow the principles of the Basic Law and in accordance with the actual conditions in Hong Kong, and be realized in a gradual and orderly way.

Such a practice is conducive to the sound development of politics in Hong Kong, to safeguarding the interests of various sectors and strata in Hong Kong, and to the long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong, he said.

In the seven years since Hong Kong's return to China, Wen said, Hong Kong's democracy has been continuously expanding.

The number of directly-elected members of the Legislative Council has increased from 20 in the first council to 24 in the second, and will rise to 30 in the third, he said.

The constitutional development in Hong Kong should suit its political and economic conditions, he said.

The decision made by the National People's Congress Standing Committee on Hong Kong's electoral methods was based on democratic consultation and the Committee had repeatedly listened to the opinions of various sectors, he said.

The premier said that it is normal to have differing opinions in Hong Kong, a pluralistic society. "But I always tell Hong Kong compatriots that the long-term and fundamental interests of the Hong Kong people, the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong must be emphasized," he said.

"The objective stipulated in the Basic Law has not changed -- to ultimately realize election by universal suffrage of the chief executive and the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region," he said. "But this needs a process."

"We believe the Hong Kong people are capable of governing Hong Kong well and Hong Kong can certainly maintain long-term prosperity and stability," he said.