Premier Wen Jiabao has again urged Hong Kong people to have confidence in the central government and the city's future. At the end of his European tour in Ireland, he said he hoped Hong Kong people would strive to improve the economy and their livelihoods.
'Confidence means having confidence in the future of Hong Kong, in the 'one country, two systems' [principle] and the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong,' he said. Mr Wen also hoped the public would have confidence that the local government would manage the city well.
He also hoped the public would believe that the central government was firmly committed to the 'one country, two systems' principle, to Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong, to a high degree of autonomy and the implementation of the Basic Law.
He again said he hoped people would understand Beijing's decision to rule out universal suffrage for the city in 2007.
