Liu Yandong, visiting vice-chairwoman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), met in Hong Kong on May 26 with public figures from Hong Kong's industrial, commercial, financial, religious circles and other walks of life separately.

She said during the meetings that "One Country, Two Systems" is the central government's basic principle in dealing with Hong Kong issues and is also the fundamental guarantee for maintaining Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.

Liu arrived in Hong Kong Tuesday to attend a grand ceremony for veneration of the Buddha's sarira (finger bone relic) and displaying of another 20 pieces of top class cultural relics Wednesday morning.

Liu said people in the Chinese mainland have confidence in the implementation of "One Country, Two Systems," "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong," and a high degree of autonomy. She said she believed Hong Kong people also have the confidence.

She stressed that patriotism is of fundamental importance, adding great importance should be also attached to unity, development and self-reliance.

Liu said patriotism means loving the motherland and loving Hong Kong. She also expected Hong Kong people to put aside the minor differences so as to seek common ground and realize the broadest unity.

She urged Hong Kong people to grasp the chances for speeding up Hong Kong's social and economic development and making every possible effort to create a better future.

Liu said religion has much impact on the Hong Kong society where different cultures exist. It has played a positive role in pushing ahead with the social development and civilization promotion, she added.

She highly praised the Hong Kong religious community's efforts at aiding-poor, disaster relief, donation for education and helping economic development in the Chinese mainland.

During a meeting with Hong Kong business leaders, Liu said development is essential for strengthening Hong Kong's status as the international financial, trade and shipping centers, maintaining a good business environment, and improving living standards of Hong Kong people.

She reiterated an old Chinese saying that "if the family lives in harmony, all affairs will prosper," adding Hong Kong is the common homeland of Hong Kong compatriots.

She said she believed that based on "One Country, Two Systems" and the Basic Law, all problems could be solved so long as Hong Kong people enhance communications and understanding of each other.

Liu said she also believed that Hong Kong compatriots, led by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government headed by Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa and with the full support from the central government, can make new splendid achievement for Hong Kong.

Source: Xinhua