President Hu arrives in HK

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-06-30 01:37

Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Hong Kong Friday to attend celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the swearing-in ceremony of the third-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

At about 11:30 a.m., Hu arrived at the airport and was greeted by HKSAR Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, among others.

Hu told reporters at the airport that "the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China is a happy event for Hong Kong and for the whole country as well."

"I'm sincerely happy about Hong Kong's achievements since returning to the motherland 10 years ago, and I'm even more confident about Hong Kong's future," Hu said.

At about 2:30 p.m., Hu met with Chief Executive of the HKSAR Donald Tsang.

Hu said that the central government will, as always, give full support to the HKSAR chief executive and the government in their governance according to law, and will make efforts to promote the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

Tsang thanked President Hu for his care and concern for Hong Kong and Hong Kong people. The HKSAR government and people from all walks of life will make concerted efforts to promote the prosperity, stability and harmony of Hong Kong, Tsang added.

At about 3:00 p.m., accompanied by Tsang, Hu visited the Hong Kong Sports Institute and chatted with elite Hong Kong athletes who are training for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The president said that Hong Kong sports talents have made great achievements in competitions at the international level. He encouraged the athletes to perform well at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The president watched performances of wheel-chair fencing and table tennis and also played table tennis with 13-year-old athlete Chiu Chung-hei.

After leaving the Hong Kong Sports Institute, Hu went to the Wu Kwai Sha Youth Village and met with some 100 Hong Kong youngsters who were gathering together to share experience in joining an exchange program in Beijing this April.

About 380 Hong Kong youngsters aged 14-20 took part in the exchange program which involved Hong Kong and Beijing youths to celebrate Hong Kong's 10th return anniversary and greet the 2008 Olympic Games.

President Hu was invited to look at exhibition panels containing pictures taken by the youngsters during their Beijing trip. Then he sat down with the youngsters and heard speeches given by seven students.

After that, President Hu visited two families of ordinary Hong Kong people. At Leung Chi-sing's home in Chung On Estate, Hu asked about their daily life, from the couples' job to their children's education, from the flat they just bought to the environment of the residential area.

At Chiu Shek-on's apartment in Kam Fung Court, Ma On Shan, Hu asked about Chiu's import and export business, and encouraged him to take advantage of the rapid economic development of the mainland and Hong Kong to expand his business.

In the evening, President Hu also met with major administrative, legislative and judicial officials of the HKSAR and attended a family dinner hosted by HK Chief Executive Tsang at the Government House.



Top China News  
Today's Top News  
Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours