Wen Jiabao skips over the burning patriotism debate and stresses the need to focus on the economy
Premier Wen Jiabao yesterday called for unity in Hong Kong and Macau, and appealed to their two administrations to work hard to implement the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (Cepa).
His statement was delivered at the opening ceremony of the National People's Congress in his first report on the work of the government.
Stressing that the central government would strictly adhere to the Basic Law, Mr Wen told the congress: 'We fully support the chief executives and their governments in Hong Kong and Macau to govern in accordance with the law; to broadly unite people from all walks of life, and to do a good job in implementing Cepa between the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau.'
Then raising his voice, Mr Wen declared, 'We have full confidence in the future of Hong Kong and Macau,' drawing applause from the delegates.
Mr Wen did not mention the ongoing debate over patriotism and Hong Kong's constitutional reforms. But Chen Zuoer, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, said the premier's brief statement carried an important message.
