Hu: Beijing to help HK overcome crisis

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-11-23 09:58

Lima - Chinese President Hu Jintao said Saturday that the central government would take effective measures to help Hong Kong to ward off the impact of the global financial crisis, safeguard the stability of the region's financial markets and boost its economic growth.

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]

Hu made the remarks during a meeting with Donald Tsang, chief executive of the the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of China.

Hu 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.

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

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

Hu also said China went through a lot of big events and difficulties this year, in which Hong Kong compatriots always stood together and shared weal and woe with the people on the mainland.

Hu spoke highly of the disaster-relief efforts provided by the Hong Kong SAR government and people after the May. 12 earthquake to southwest China's Sichuan Province, saying that they had made contributions to the success of China's quake-relief work.

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

The central government would always support Hong Kong and Macao SAR in coping with and overcoming various difficulties, President Hu told the Hong Kong chief.

Both Hu and Tsang are in the Peruvian capital of Lima to attend the 16th Economic Leaders' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).