23. Hong Kong people have always attached great importance to social harmony. The saying "A family that lives in harmony will prosper" epitomises harmony as a core value in our tradition. A stable environment is the prerequisite for social progress, economic prosperity, constitutional development and better living. This explains the strong desire of the public for social stability and their increasing loathing of the conflicts and confrontations that have surfaced in recent years. The public is well aware that social harmony is the foundation of stability and prosperity.

24. The Government has been working hard to implement "One Country, Two Systems" and to promote social harmony and stability. In the face of rapid social change, we have continuously explored and experimented as follows:

• First, we insist on the principle of fairness in governance. While ensuring the efficiency of our free market and its capacity to create wealth, we also seek to properly balance the interests of different social strata and sectors. We are resolutely against "collusion between business and the Government" and will strictly enforce our monitoring systems to eliminate any "transfer of benefits".
• Second, we will spare no effort to implement "people-based" governance and take practical measures to mitigate antagonism between different strata. We will seriously address the problem of poverty to break the cycle of inter-generational poverty. We will take good care of the disadvantaged.
• Third, we will do our best to maintain the stability of the middle class. We will create a favourable environment for their personal advancement by providing more learning opportunities, enhancing the quality of education, increasing training and re-training opportunities, as well as actively promoting economic development. We will work hard to improve governance and provide more opportunities for their participation in public affairs.
• Fourth, we will work hard to enhance Hong Kong people's understanding of our country and strengthen their sense of national identity. We will seize the opportunities brought about by the development of our country to understand the spirit and principles of the Central Government's policies towards Hong Kong. We must endeavour to avoid giving our country worries and trouble. We will help those who still have doubts about or feel antagonistic towards the Central Government to change their minds.
• Fifth, we will promote inclusiveness, unity and respect for different viewpoints. On the basis of upholding the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, we advocate rational discussion on different views to seek common ground while accommodating disagreements. We should strive for consensus despite differences, and progress in a united manner.

25. The Government has an undeniable responsibility to promote social harmony and stability. Our most important task is to implement "people-based" governance. All our policies are based on the community's core values and contribute to the overall interest of Hong Kong. Apart from the Government's efforts, building a harmonious and stable Hong Kong requires the active support of different sectors of the community. In the overall interests of Hong Kong, I sincerely hope that all sectors can set aside their differences, be understanding, accommodating, caring and supportive to jointly build a harmonious, united and stable Hong Kong.