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British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Wednesday that maintaining stability in Hong Kong was crucial to the city's success.

Visiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair (R) is greeted by Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa in Hong Kong July 23, 2003. [Reuters]

"What is vital," Blair stressed, "is that Hong Kong continues its advance as set out in the Basic Law but maintains the stability that is the ultimate bedrock of success here."

"I believe the Chinese leadership is dedicated to achieving that (stability)," he added.

The remarks, made at a luncheon speech hosted by the British Chamber of Commerce, echoed what Premier Wen Jiabao said to him on Monday.

The premier told him that a stable and prosperous Hong Kong benefits all Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots, and boosts foreign interests in the territory. He invited countries wishing to gain from Hong Kong's prosperity to do more to support the city's stability and development.

At the luncheon, Blair said that although the disagreement over Article 23 legislation in the territory "has given rise to much speculation that it represents a crisis for the system," it is fortunate that Hong Kong benefits from a flexible system.

"There is sufficient flexibility in the system to allow disagreement to surface, and then be overcome," he pointed out.

The mass protest on July 1 went ahead peacefully and the government responded to people's wish by amending the content of the national security bill, he observed.

"There is a sense that I had that the authorities here are very much listening to what the people say," he said.

Blair said the UK hopes that Hong Kong will make early progress towards elections of the chief executive and all members of the Legislative Council through universal suffrage.

He met with Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa at Government House for more than an hour yesterday morning.

At the meeting, Blair praised the SAR government for acknowledging public opinion by putting off Article 23 legislation.

Tung told Blair how Hong Kong had bounced back with resilience and vigour after overcoming the SARS epidemic.

Both noted the successful implementation of the "One Country, Two Systems" principle in Hong Kong over the past six years, and agreed that despite the recent difficulties, Hong Kong had coped well.

Tung also told Blair about the new opportunities brought about by the mainland-Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and the intensified economic collaboration with Guangdong Province.

Blair also met with Li Ka-shing, chairman of Cheung Kong (Holdings) during his stay in Hong Kong.

The British prime minister arrived in Hong Kong on Tuesday evening for a three-day visit. But he left Wednesday afternoon, one day earlier than scheduled, to avoid the approaching typhoon Imbudo.

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