HONG KONG - In the coming years, the Hong Kong government will continue to seek change while maintaining stability when facing chances and challenges, Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung said in a speech Monday.

Leung gave his address at the reception in celebration of the 16th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center.

Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung (front, 7th L) attends a flag raising ceremony in celebration of the 16th anniversary of the Special Administrative Region's return to China. [Photo/Xinhua]

Leung said that thanks to the support and coordinated efforts of political team and civil-servant colleagues, the current government implemented in the past year some of the policies that he advocated in his manifesto, making some progress with initial achievements.

In the past year, Leung said the government also responded to a number of issues, including the influx of pregnant mainland mothers whose husbands are not Hong Kong residents to give birth in Hong Kong, and the subsequent problems concerning clearance procedures for cross-boundary school children and their admission to local schools, multiple-entry permits to non-residents of Shenzhen, shortage of baby formula, and disruptions at train stations caused by parallel goods traders.

Regarding the greatest public concern of housing, "the SAR government has managed to curb the upward trend of property prices, thus changing the perception that property prices can only rise," said Leung.

Leung admitted a major task of the government is the implementation of universal suffrage for the Chief Executive Election in 2017 in accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law and the relevant decisions of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

"With the greatest sincerity and commitment, the SAR Government will launch a consultation at an appropriate juncture. We hope that people holding divergent views can set aside their differences and seek consensus as far as possible in an accommodating, pragmatic and peaceful manner," said he.

July 1st is also the 10th anniversary of the promulgation of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, or CEPA. According to Leung, the Mainland has been opening up its market to different sectors in Hong Kong since 2003, including commerce and trade, financial and professional services, through the CEPA main text and the annual supplements.

The mainland market is huge and making good use of CEPA as early as possible is vitally important to Hong Kong, Leung continued, adding that "we are grateful for the country's preferential policy and will at the same time contribute to the development of our country."

Leung said that opportunities and challenges exist side by side in the future development of Hong Kong. "We will put people first and serve them in a pragmatic and proactive manner. We aim to make even greater progress in addressing political, social, economic and livelihood issues," he concluded.

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