Highlights of Chinese Premier Li's comments on Taiwan and Hongkong

APD NEWS

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The Chinese mainland will not tolerate any attempt at "Taiwan independence" or any attempt by external forces to "use Taiwan as a card, and upholding the "One Country, Two Systems" principle is fundamental to boost the development for Hong Kong and the mainland Chinese Premier Li said at a press conference after the conclusion of China's annual legislative session.

Here are the highlights below:

Li warns external forces against playing 'Taiwan card'

The Chinese mainland will not tolerate any attempt at "Taiwan independence" or any attempt by external forces to "use Taiwan as a card," Chinese Premier Li Keqiang warned on Tuesday.

He said the mainland has been committed to peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait, stressing that the peaceful reunification of China is the ultimate goal.

People on the two sides of the strait belong to the same family, and the mainland is willing to talk with those in Taiwan upholding the one-China principle, Li noted.

'One Country, Two Systems' injects vitality into HK, mainland economy

Premier Li said it is fundamental to uphold the "One Country, Two Systems" principle in boosting the development for Hong Kong and the mainland, in response to a question on whether economic integration will blur the "Two Systems".

Li said the central government unswervingly adheres to "One Country, Two Systems" in the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions, as well as the principles of "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and "Macao people administering Macao".

The "One Country, Two Systems" system is crucial to keeping Hong Kong and Macao's economic advantage, Li noted.

The central government has formulated the outline of establishing the Guangzhou-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay area, and the plan will soon be made public, Li told reporters.

In the plan, the mainland will encourage more people from Hong Kong and Macao to work and live in Guangzhou, and they will be guaranteed the same access to welfare as mainland residents in such areas as housing, medical care, education and employment.

The central government aims to build the Greater Bay Area into a world-class city cluster, with Li saying the three areas – Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao – have their own advantages which are complementary.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)