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    Door of communication 'always open'
Tonny Chan and Eddie Luk
2004-06-25 07:06

A leading official of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong said yesterday that the door of communication with different sectors of the Hong Kong community is always open.

The official made the comment in an interview with Xinhua after the Legislative Council (LegCo) passed on Wednesday a motion calling for the unity of Hong Kong people and co-operation with the central government for the implementation of "One Country, Two Systems".

The central government has maintained extensive contacts and communications with all walks of life in Hong Kong, including those holding different views, he said.

The liaison office noted that several legislators said at the LegCo meeting on June 9 that the "democrats" wanted to express their goodwill and willingness to strengthen communications with the central authorities; and the motion also expressed this, he said. "The office sees this as a positive move consistent with the community's desire for social harmony."

The official called for efforts at developing the economy and improving people's livelihood.

Wednesday's motion was moved by former Democratic Party chairman Martin Lee. The motion, as amended by other legislators, was passed at LegCo. One of the amendments called on people to elect candidates who support the Basic Law, uphold the unity of the country, care about the future of the country and truly represent the interests of Hong Kong people.

Meanwhile, Li Gang, a deputy director of the liaison office, said at a public function that the central-local relationship was not one of hostility. Thus it is not a question of reconciliation between democrats and the central government. "What is needed now is communication," Li said. "Communication is needed to increase mutual understanding and with this consensus can be reached on a number of issues."

On another occasion, Chairman of Hong Kong Policy Research Institute Paul Yip said the remarks made by Vice-President Zeng Qinghong earlier showed the central government defined its relationship with the democrats only as a communication problem.

"It offers a good opportunity for both sides to be engaged in more communication and to work out a consensus," Yip said.

Political parties should avoid demands such as universal suffrage in the selection of the chief executive in 2007 and the election of LegCo in 2008 and other sensitive topics in their election campaign, he said.

He urged the democrats to grasp the opportunity to communicate with the central government. He also said the SAR needed a harmonious atmosphere to develop its economy.

During an official visit to Tunisia, Zeng told reporters on Wednesday that the central government would communicate with all walks of life in Hong Kong, including the "democrats", and communication must be based on the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and the Basic Law.

In Beijing, a National People's Congress deputy David Chu said he had handed a list of "democrats" to the central government hoping that communication could start with them.

Refusing to disclose the details, Chu said some were legislators without home-visit permits.

"The response from government officials is positive," he said. "I hope they can sit down and communicate face-to-face."

(HK Edition 06/25/2004 page2)