Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said Hong Kong's democratic political system is developing in a steady and gradual way in accordance with its actual situation, and within the framework of the Basic Law.

Jiang made the remarks after British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett called on Hong Kong's leaders on Monday to allow full democracy in the Special Administrative Region by introducing universal suffrage.

In the 10 years after 1997, the "one country, two systems" has been successfully implemented in Hong Kong, Jiang said.

"The legitimate rights of the Hong Kong people have been sufficiently safeguarded and Hong Kong is widely acknowledged as having the world's freest economy," Jiang said yesterday in a regular press briefing.

She said the central government will continue to unswervingly carry out the principle of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy to maintain its prosperity and stability.

Jiang yesterday rebutted Western accusations that China was worsening Africa's debt crisis through major loan packages. She said China was not going to add to the burden of African countries.

Jiang said China's assistance and interest free loans to African countries have no political strings attached and China wants them to be fair, just and transparent.

Speaking just several days after Shanghai hosted the annual meeting of the African Development Bank Group, Jiang called on the international community, especially the developed countries to "make earnest efforts to reduce the debt of African nations so as to free them from the vicious cycle of debt".

She also stressed Beijing's wish to help lift African people out of poverty by building their capacity for self-development.

Jiang reiterated China's determination to attach great importance to food and drug safety.

She said the government has gradually set up a comprehensive legal system to regulate the market to ensure food and drug safety, adding that China is willing to work together with the international community on the issue.

The safety of Chinese food and pharmaceutical exports has been questioned in recent months following reports that Chinese-made medicinal ingredients have killed people in Panama, and tainted pet food in the United States.

In the latest case, Chinese-made toothpaste in Panama has been found to contain a potentially deadly chemical.

Jiang said investigations are continuing into "some cases".

(China Daily 05/23/2007 page3)