Mr. ZOU Zhekai, deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong, said in a meeting on 6 August 2003 regarding July 1 march.

 

"Stability is of utmost importance for Hong Kong, and it is what Hong Kong needs most at present. The full implementation of the "One Country, Two Systems" policy in Hong Kong requires social stability, which is a prerequisite for the city to achieve prosperity and development. It is the common wish of Hong Kong people and conforms to the interests of foreign investors and the international community.

 

Without a stable environment, Hong Kong, which promotes itself as a city of life, may become a city of turmoil. The government would be unable to carry out its policies efficiently and businessmen would be unable to benefit from the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement.

 

With hindsight, during the Cultural Revolution, people took to the streets all the time and attacked each other. As a result, the economy was on the brink of collapse, people suffered greatly. It's really a tragedy and too painful a memory. At the end of 70's, Deng Xiaopeng  learned from the 10-year Cultural Revolution and he stressed the importance of stability and to concentrate on economic development….."