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Vice President hails Guangdong's pilot role in China's reform

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-07-06 08:52

GUANGZHOU  -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping has praised Guangdong's pioneer role in the 30-year reform and opening drive and urged the south China province to continue promote cooperation with Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions (SARs).

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (3rd R) talks with workers at the Yantian international container dock in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, July 5, 2008. Xi Jinping made an inspection tour in Guangdong on July 4-5. [Xinhua]

Guangdong played the role as a window, laboratory and pioneer in the construction and development of socialism with Chinese characteristics, said Xi during a study tour of the south China province on July 4 and 5.

Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau, visited towns, enterprises, communities, ports and research institutions, with Guangdong Party chief Wang Yang and governor Huang Huahua.

Xi hailed Guangdong's economic and social development, highlighting the fact that only socialism could save China, only the reforms and opening up to the outside world could develop China, socialism and Marxism.

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He paid special attention to the issue of Guangdong's cooperation with Hong Kong and Macao.

With some Hong Kong-funded companies suffering from the decrease of overseas consumer demand and price hikes of oil and raw materials, Xi asked local officials to give assistance.

Greater Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao cooperation and the development of the SARs' economies were of great significance for maintaining a long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao, and the success of the "One Country, Two Systems" policy, and eventually achieving national reunification, he said.

Xi urged Guangdong to open up to cooperation with Hong Kong and Macao, by strictly following the "One Country, Two Systems" policy and the basic laws of the two SARs.

Xi called for implementation of instructions by President Hu Jintao on the development of the Party.

China must adopt the concept of scientific, coordinated and harmonious development, said Xi.