Visiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair Monday appraised the implementation of the principle of "one country, two systems'' in Hong Kong, saying it is "gratifying.''

Chinese President Hu Jintao (right) meets with visiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair in Beijing on Monday July 21, 2003. Earlier, Blair held talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Central Military Commission Chairman Jiang Zemin, pledging to enhance bilateral economic relations. Blair arrived in Beijing Sunday night for a three-day visit. [Reuters]Blair, on his first trip to China since he renewed his term of office in 2001, met separately Monday with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao, President Hu Jintao and Central Military Commission Chairman Jiang Zemin.

During the meeting with Wen, Blair said that in the past six years the "one country, two systems'' policy has yielded very good results, noting that the British side appreciates the Chinese side's treatment of recent problems in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).

Britain hopes the Chinese side will find a way to maintain Hong Kong's stability and pledges to make its own efforts to this end, Blair added.

A large number of Hong Kong residents took to the streets on July 1, the sixth anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China, to express their concerns on the proposed legislation of the National Security Bill which is based on Article 23 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR.

Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa said on July 5 that the Hong Kong SAR government has decided to introduce three amendments to the draft National Security Bill.

Wen said yesterday that facts have proven that the practice of "one country, two systems'' has been implemented successfully in Hong Kong, and has won international acclaim.

He said he hoped that "concerned countries'' would do more to support Hong Kong's stability and development.

Wen said that in the past more than six years, the Chinese Government has, strictly in accordance with the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR, completely implemented the principles of "one country, two systems,'' "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong,'' and a high degree of autonomy.

Hong Kong maintains economic stability and development although it suffered a lot from the Asian financial crisis, the global economic slowdown and SARS, said Wen, adding that Hong Kong people's legal rights and freedoms are fully guaranteed.

He stressed that a stable and prosperous Hong Kong is not only in the interests of all Chinese people including Hong Kong compatriots, but also conducive to foreign interests in Hong Kong.

On bilateral relations, Wen said Sino-British relations have developed noticeably in recent years and bilateral co-operation between the two countries in various areas has also proven fruitful.

The administrative power of Hong Kong has smoothly returned to China and an all-round Sino-British partnership has been forged, the premier said.

Wen also put forward four suggestions on the future development of Sino-British relations: To maintain high-level mutual visits of government officials, to expand trade and economic co-operation, to enhance cultural and educational exchanges and to resolve each other's discrepancies and differences through consultation and dialogue.

Meanwhile, Wen reiterated China's stance on the issues concerning Taiwan and Tibet and exchanged views with Blair on international issues of common concern.

Blair said contacts with Chinese personalities from various circles have given him a better understanding of the one-China policy, noting that the British side would adhere to the policy when dealing with relevant issues.

In view of the present complicated and changeable international situation, Wen said it is necessary and urgent for China and Britain, both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, to strengthen co-operation either for the maintenance of world peace or for economic development.

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