The central government will unwaveringly support Hong Kong's economic development, social harmony and safeguard Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability as they are crucial to Hong Kong, said a central government official in Hong Kong on Thursday.

Gao Siren, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) made the remarks on Thursday at a reception held by the Liaison Office.

He said Hong Kong's primary task at present is to develop its economy and improve the livelihood of the people.

He said economic development is the basis for development in all areas. It constitutes a prerequisite for maintaining social harmony and also creates conditions for developing democratic politics.

Over 3,000 people, including Tung Chee Hwa, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang, central government officials in Hong Kong, representatives of foreign consulate generals and local celebrities attended the reception.

Gao said the development of Hong Kong is closely linked with that of the motherland. The central government will continue to firmly implement the principles of "one country two systems"," Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy, and will consistently support the Chief Executive and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government to run Hong Kong affairs according to law.

Gao said, in 2005, Hong Kong developed and made progress together with the motherland. In the past year, under the strong support by the central government, Chief Executive Donald Tsang and the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region united people from all walks of society in one heart and one mind to make practical progress, bringing about a new situation in Hong Kong.

He said, in 2005, Hong Kong continued to witness rapid economic development and the society becomes more harmonious. The pursuance of excellent governance by the HKSAR government has scored initial achievement. The exchange and the cooperation between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong continued to deepen and Hong Kong's influence upon the world has been further increased.

In the new year, the Liaison Office will shoulder more responsibilities in promoting communication and liaison. The office will make its due efforts to extensively contact people from all walks of life, listen to and reflect their suggestions and comments, promote exchange and cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong in various fields, support the HKSAR government in running Hong Kong affairs according to law, and safeguard Hong Kong's stability, prosperity and social harmony.

Source: Xinhua