尊敬的领团长西孙湍•西提莫拉达先生， 　　尊敬的各位总领事、名誉领事， 　　女士们，先生们， 　　感谢西提莫拉达先生的邀请，很高兴出席今天的领团午餐会。这是一个很好的做法，让大家可以坐在一起交流看法，联络感情。我本人很愿意与各位总领事、名誉领事交朋友，坦诚沟通，增进友谊和相互了解。 　　我来香港时间不长，今天是我首次参加领团聚会。此前，我很高兴已与你们当中不少朋友见过面。在见面中，不少朋友很关心中国中央政府对港政策，并提出一些带有普遍性的问题。我愿借此机会，就这些问题谈四点看法： 　　一、中国中央政府贯彻“一国两制”、“港人治港”、高度自治方针的决心绝不动摇。上世纪八十年代，中国政府从实现国家统一大业和保持香港长期繁荣稳定的大局出发，作出了在香港实施“一国两制”五十年不变的郑重承诺。回首近九年来的实践，中国政府始终坚定履行这一承诺，坚持“一国两制”、“港人治港”、高度自治方针不动摇。九年来，香港的资本主义制度没有改变，港人原有的生活方式没有改变，香港的法律基本没变，港人依法享有的自由权利得到充分保障。香港仍然保持着亚洲国际大都会的地位，连续12年被评为世界上最自由的经济体，各国投资者对香港的信心不仅没有丝毫减退，而且有所增强。几年来，香港始终是亚洲仅次于中国内地的最大外来投资市场。这一有目共睹的事实充分证明“一国两制”是完全符合香港实际，有利于保持香港长期繁荣稳定的，一句话，是具有强大生命力的。我坚信，在中央政府的大力支持下，以曾荫权行政长官为首的特区政府，一定能够与广大香港市民一道，将香港建设得更加美好。 　　二、中国中央政府将坚持不懈地支持香港经济发展、促进港人福祉。香港是祖国大家庭的一员。香港保持繁荣稳定是国家的骄傲，同时也是国家的责任；这既关系到香港的长治久安和香港同胞的福祉，也关系到国家改革、发展和稳定的大局。因此，凡是有利于保障香港繁荣稳定的事，有利于提高港人民生福祉的事，中央政府都将认真主动地去做。近几年来，中央政府通过落实内地与香港更紧密经贸关系安排、开放内地居民个人赴港旅游、不断放宽香港银行开办人民币业务范围等措施，有力地促进了香港经济的恢复性和发展。不久前，中国的“十一•五”规划首次将香港纳入国家的总体发展框架内，充分表明了香港在国家发展战略中的重要地位。本月13日，中国人民银行宣布了“合资格境内机构投资者”赴境外投资计划（QDII），这对香港金融业的发展、加强香港的国际金融中心地位无疑又是一个重要的好消息。我相信，随着内地经济的快速增长，中央政府在互利共赢的基础上推行对港经济优惠政策，香港的经济发展会不断步上新的台阶。 　　三、中国中央政府支持香港在基本法框架内循序渐进地发展符合香港实际情况的民主政治制度。邓小平同志曾经明确指出：“香港的稳定，除了经济的繁荣外，还要有一个稳定的政治制度。”中央政府一直高度重视和关注香港的政制发展问题，并一直支持特区政府依照基本法的规定发展符合香港实际情况的民主制度。在此问题上，我想强调两点：一是基本法规定的行政长官和立法会最终由普选产生这一目标不会改变；二是香港的民主发展必须根据香港的实际情况，不断探索并积累经验，稳步、扎实、有序地推进。香港回归近九年来，香港的民主制度取得了长足的、稳健的发展。香港居民真正享有了前所未有的民主权利。我相信，只要香港社会各界人士以香港的整体利益和长期繁荣稳定的大局为重，理性务实探讨，积极创造条件，香港的民主制度就一定能够沿着基本法规定的轨道循序渐进地向前发展。 　　四、中国中央政府将继续积极支持香港扩大对外经贸交往与合作。外交部驻港公署是中国中央政府派驻香港的机构，并依照基本法的规定负责处理与香港有关的外交事务。相信各位总领事和名誉领事对公署的工作范畴已有相当了解，这里我只想强调一点，我们处理涉港外交工作的最重要的指导思想就是为香港的长期繁荣稳定服好务。在基本法框架下，只要是有利于提高香港在国际的影响和地位，有利于促进香港对外交流与合作的事，我们都会积极去做，全力提供支持和协助。 　　最后，我想说，九年来，驻港公署与各国驻港领事机构一直保持着紧密联系和友好交往，关系很好。你们为发展和加强贵国与香港特区在经贸、文化等领域的关系做出了巨大贡献，对此我愿向各位表示衷心感谢。今后，驻港公署将继续加强与各总领馆的交往与合作，为促进香港与贵国经贸、文化等多方面关系的不断发展共同努力。 　　谢谢各位。 Speech by Commissioner Lu Xinhua at the Consular Corps Luncheon (April 25, 2006) Respected Mr. Sithimolada, Respected Consuls General and Honorary Consuls, Ladies and Gentlemen, Thank you, Mr. Sithimolada, for your kind invitation. I am very much pleased to join you today for the consular corps luncheon. This is a good way for us to gather together and exchange views with each other. I am more than happy to be one of your friends and would like to work with you closely to enhance our friendship and mutual understanding. I arrived here not long ago. And this is my first time to be with you at this consular corps gathering. But I’d met many of you before this. In our meetings, many friends asked me about the Hong Kong policy of the Central Government. I’d like to take this opportunity to make four points, which I believe would be helpful to most of you: Firstly, the Central Government will continue to unswervingly implement the principle of “one country, two systems”, “Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy. In the 1980s, the Chinese Government, in view of the goal of national reunification and the need to maintain the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, made the solemn commitment that “one country, two systems” would be applied to Hong Kong for 50 years. In the 9 years after 1997, the Chinese Government has kept its word. Hong Kong’s capitalist system, Hong Kong people’s way of life and the rule of law remain unchanged, and the legitimate rights of the Hong Kong people have been sufficiently safeguarded. Hong Kong has become Asia’s World City, and Hong Kong’s economy has been rated as the freest in the world for past 12 consecutive years. Foreign investors’ confidence has been enhanced rather than dented. In recent years, Hong Kong has been the second biggest recipient of foreign direct investment in Asia, just after the mainland. This should serve as ample proof that “one country, two systems” complies with the actual situation in Hong Kong, which is good to its long-term prosperity and stability, and thus has strong, lasting vitality. I firmly believe that with the full support of the Central Government, the SAR government headed by the Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen can and will work together with the Hong Kong people for a better future. Secondly, the Central People’s Government always supports Hong Kong in its economic development and social well-being with a sustained effort. Hong Kong is a full member of the big family of the motherland. It is the pride as well as the responsibility of the country to maintain Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability, which is important not only to the long-term interests and well-being in Hong Kong, but also to the overall situation of the reform, development and stability of the country. Therefore, the Central Government will conscientiously do whatever is required to safeguard Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability and improve the social well-being. In recent years, the Central Government has taken concrete measures such as the CEPA, individual-travel schemes, as well as allowing Hong Kong banks to do more RMB-related business, in order to promote the economic recovery and development of Hong Kong. Not long ago, the 11th five-year plan incorporated Hong Kong for the first time into the national development framework, which manifests the significance of Hong Kong to the national development strategy. On April 13th, the People’s Bank of China announced the “QDII” (Qualified Domestic Institutional Investors’ Initiative), which is truly a great news to Hong Kong’s financial industry and will further enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international financial center. I believe that with the rapid economic development of the mainland, and the favorable policies of the Central Government towards Hong Kong, Hong Kong’s economy will be steadily improved. Thirdly, the Central Government supports the development of Hong Kong’s democratic political system in accordance with the actual situation of Hong Kong within the framework of the Basic Law in a steady and gradual manner. Mr. Deng Xiaoping pointed out, “to achieve Hong Kong’s stability, we need economic prosperity plus a stable political system”. The Central Government has attached great importance to the political development of Hong Kong. In this regard, I would like to emphasize two things: first, according to the Basic Law, the Chief Executive and the Legislative Council will be elected by universal suffrage; this ultimate goal will not be altered. Second, democracy in Hong Kong will be gradually pursued in the light of the local actual situation. We need to explore continuously and gather experience and pursue it in a gradual, steady and orderly manner. Ever since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, the democratic system has developed steadily. The Hong Kong residents enjoy unprecedented democratic rights. I believe, as long as people from all walks of life embark on rational and pragmatic consultations in view of Hong Kong’s interest as a whole and its long-term prosperity and stability, the democratic system will be surely developed as stipulated in the Basic Law. Fourthly, the Central Government actively supports Hong Kong in developing its economic and trade exchanges and cooperation with foreign countries. The Commissioner’s Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is assigned by the Central Government the mandate to deal with Hong Kong-related foreign affairs in compliance with the Basic Law. I think that the Consuls General and Honorary Consuls are well informed of the mandate of our office. Here I only want to focus on one point. The guiding principle of our work is to serve well the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. Within the framework of the Basic Law, we will spare no effort to help enhance Hong Kong’s international status, promote Hong Kong’s external exchanges and cooperation. Finally, I’d like to mention that, during the past nine years, the Commissioner’s Office has maintained close contact and friendly exchanges with the consular corps in Hong Kong. You have made important contributions to the exchanges between Hong Kong and the countries and organizations you represent. I would like to say that I respect and appreciate all your efforts and achievements in this regard. In future, the Commissioner’s Office will continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with all the consulates and make joint efforts to further promote the economic, trade and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and your country. Dear colleagues, The Commissioner’s Office will be happy to provide you with assistance if needed. Please let us know if you have any requirements. Thank you.