国内英语新闻: Top political advisor meets business people of mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan

BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Top political advisor Yu Zhengsheng on Thursday met business people from Hong Kong, Taiwan and the mainland who are here to attend an economic forum.

The peaceful cross-Strait relations and a stable and prosperous Hong Kong are vital for all Chinese people, said Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

He stressed that the foundation for peace and development across the Taiwan Strait is the 1992 Consensus while exchanges and cooperation between Hong Kong and the mainland are based on the principle of "one country, two systems" and in line with the Basic Law.

Business people from the three regions should work together to maintain these political foundations and contribute their wisdom to perfecting economic policies related to the regions, he said.

Also on Thursday, Vice President Li Yuanchao met a group of Hong Kong journalists.

The central government firmly supports Hong Kong to develop economy and improve people's livelihood, and develop democracy step by step in accordance with the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Li said.

Li also expressed hope that Hong Kong society can reach a consensus in line with the Basic Law and pave the way for universal suffrage for the 2017 Chief Executive election.

Li said the Hong Kong media is expected to help the local society seize chances in the mainland's new round of reform and contribute to Hong Kong's stability and prosperity.