People should work together to ensure that Hong Kong and the mainland develop a good interactive relationship within the "one country, two Systems" framework, Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa said on Tuesday.

He was speaking after meeting with four Liberal Party legislators.

Noting that economic recovery is a matter of community concern, Tung said, "In the short term, the recent increase in the arrival of mainland visitors and activities on the logistics front should help us on the unemployment situation."

"In the longer term, CEPA (Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement between the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong) and much closer collaboration with the Pearl River Delta will give us new opportunities for our economic restructuring," he added.

On the national security bill, known as Article 23, Tung reiterated that the next round of consultation will be very comprehensive to win maximum support and understanding from the community at large.

 
"There is no timetable for the legislative process," the chief executive said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 30, 2003)