Du Qinglin (center), vice chairman of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and minister of the United Front Work Department, Tung Chee-hwa (4th right), vice-chairman of the CPPCC, Donald Tsang (4th left), chief executive of the HKSAR, and Li Gang (2nd left), deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong, attend the opening cermony of the Overseas Chinese World Conference for Promoting Peaceful Reunification of China (2010 Hong Kong, China) at the AsiaWorld expo Tuesday. Edmond Tang / China Daily

Cross-Straits relations have entered the track of peaceful development and hold out bright prospects, Du Qinglin, vice chairman of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said in Hong Kong Tuesday.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the 11th edition of the 2010 Overseas Chinese World Conference for Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China, Du said peaceful development between the motherland and Taiwan signifies a wind of change because it fulfills the interests of the people on the two shores.

Du, who is also minister of the United Front Work Department, delivered a keynote speech after Tung Chee-hwa, fellow CPPCC Vice-chairman and former chief executive of the city, declared the conference open. The two-day conference, being hosted by Hong Kong for the first time, is attended by over 1,500 people from all over the world.

In his speech, Du quoted President Hu Jintao's remark that peaceful development is the theme of cross-Straits development, with peaceful reunification being the target.

Du further called on compatriots in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macao and overseas to support the "One China" principle and oppose Taiwan independence.

Donald Tsang, chief executive of Hong Kong, said the city, with its successful implementation of the great idea of "One Country, Two Systems", can offer its experiences to Taiwan on road to reunification with the motherland.

Tsang said Hong Kong has successfully implemented the principles of "One Country, Two Systems", "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong"and "A high degree of autonomy".

The city enjoys administrative, legislative and judicial autonomy. It can also take part in external affairs and has great room in international affairs as promised by the Basic Law.

Hong Kong hosted the World Trade Organization ministerial conference in 2005 and the Olympic equestrian event in 2008, he said. With the support of the state, former health director Margaret Chan became the director-general of the World Health Organization, the first Chinese woman to hold such a key post in an international body, he added.

"These facts show that 'One Country, Two Systems' can work and resolve the historical question and providing a role model to Taiwan," Tsang said.

He highlighted the founding of Hong Kong-Taiwan Economic and Cultural Cooperation and Promotion Council and the reciprocal Taiwan-Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Cooperation Council, and Financial Secretary John Tsang's recent Taiwan visit.

He hoped mutual relations would flourish and contribute positively to cross-straits relations and peaceful reunification.

Li Gang, deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong, said cross-Straits development has seen historic development since May 2008.

The recent signing of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, he said, symbolized mutually beneficial economic ties.

Hong Kong-Taiwan relation is a special part of cross-Straits relations, he said. As a Hong Kong-based central organization, the liaison office will continue to support the HKSAR in developing Hong Kong-Taiwan ties.

China Daily

(HK Edition 09/22/2010 page1)