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Mainland helps boost HK prosperity

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-11-24 07:53

LIMA: President Hu Jintao said the central government would always support Hong Kong and Macao SARs in coping with and overcoming various difficulties, when meeting Donald Tsang, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Saturday on the sideline of the 16th Economic Leaders' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

Hu said the central government would take effective measures to help the HKSAR government ward off the impact of the global financial crisis, safeguard the stability of financial markets and boost economic growth.

China's President Hu Jintao (L) and Chief Executive of Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Donald Tsang walk toward their vehicle after the 16th Economic Leaders' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima, November 22, 2008. [Agencies]

He expressed his belief that as long as the HKSAR government and people from all circles could be united, the region would maintain its long-term prosperity and stability.

Tsang briefed Hu on the HKSAR government's efforts in dealing with the current financial crisis and voiced his appreciation for the central government's support to Hong Kong.

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The HKSAR government would continue to make efforts to safeguard the financial and economic stability in the region, the Hong Kong chief said.

Hu said China had experienced many major events and difficulties this year, in which Hong Kong compatriots stood together with the people on the mainland.

He spoke highly of the disaster-relief efforts provided by the Hong Kong SAR government and people after the May 12 earthquake in Sichuan province, saying they had helped with the success of China's quake-relief work.

The president said Hong Kong had also successfully completed the task of co-organizing the equestrian competition event of the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Cross-Straits ties

Hu, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, met with Kuomintang (KMT) Honorary Chairman Lien Chan on Friday in Lima.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (2nd R) and his wife Liu Yongqing (R) meet with Donald Tsang Yam-kuen (2nd L), chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and his wife Selina Tsang in Lima, capital of Peru, Nov. 22, 2008. Hu Jintao and Donald Tsang Yam-kuen are in Lima to attend the Economic Leaders' Informal Meeting of the APEC forum slated for Nov. 22-23. [Xinhua]

At their meeting, Hu spoke highly of Lien's unremitting efforts in, and contributions to, the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.

Hu noted that the current cross-Strait ties had registered sound development, and the four agreements signed by the mainland's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits during its recent visit to the island with the Taiwan-based Straits Exchange Foundation on direct shipping and flights, postal services and food safety, had brought substantial benefits for compatriots living on both sides of the Taiwan Straits.

The success of the visit indicated that the development of cross-Strait relations had turned to a new page, Hu said.

Hu noted that the ongoing international financial crisis was spreading from some regions to the entire globe, from developed countries to emerging economies, and from financial sectors to the real economy.

At this crucial moment, both sides should enhance communication to push forward mutually-beneficial trade and economic cooperation to turn challenges into opportunities, he said.

"We're willing to take practical actions and join hands with Taiwan compatriots to tide over the difficulties," Hu said.

He voiced his hope that both sides could seize the historic opportunity to benefit their compatriots and seek peace for the Taiwan Straits.

Lien said his meeting with Hu indicated the further development of cross-Strait relations and growing cooperation between the two sides.

Lien said he shared Hu's view that the two sides should strengthen economic exchanges and cooperation in tackling the global financial crisis, adding that both sides could make contributions to global economic growth.

Xinhua