President Jiang Attends HKSAR Anniversary Celebrations

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, July 01, 2002

President Jiang Attends HKSAR Anniversary Celebrations

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President Jiang Attends HKSAR Anniversary Celebrations

Chinese President Jiang Zemin Monday attended the Celebrations of the Fifth Anniversary of Hong Kong's Return to the Motherland and the Inauguration Ceremony of the Second-term Government of the Hong Kong Special AdministrativeRegion (HKSAR) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center.

At 8:57 a.m., accompanied by Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa, Jiang arrived at the Grand Hall, where the ceremony marking China's resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong was held in 1997.

At 9:00 a.m., the 50-member white-uniformed Hong Kong Police Band played the national anthem to kick off the celebrations.

The five-star red flag of the nation and the regional flag of the Hong Kong SAR were hung above the rostrum. Hundreds of pots ofbright-colored flowers were placed on and around the rostrum.

Two giant TV screens flanking the rostrum are broadcasting ceremony proceedings live.

Administered by Jiang, Tung Chee Hwa was sworn in as the second-term chief executive of the HKSAR.

Tung walked to the rostrum, facing the national flag and the regional flag, and raised his right hand. He said, "I, upon assuming the office of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, pledge to uphold the Basic Law of the HKSAR of the People's Republic of China (PRC), be loyal to the HKSAR of the PRC, fulfillmy duties wholeheartedly, abide by laws, be clean and honest, serve the HKSAR, and be responsible for the PRC and the HKSAR."

Tung won the election with the support of over 90 percent of the Election Committee members in February this year and was officially appointed by the central government. He has been widelyacclaimed for ensuring Hong Kong's smooth transition and having successfully implemented the "One Country, Two Systems" principle.

Following Tung's swearing-in, 19 principal officials of the HKSAR government stepped on the rostrum and took oath under the supervision of Jiang.

Afterwards, 19 Executive Council members of the HKSAR were also sworn in under the supervision of Tung.

Jiang and Tung delivered speeches.

Jiang said that the past five years saw "one country, two systems" being translated from a scientific concept into a vivid reality and the HKSAR government under the leadership of Tung make remarkable progress by closing ranks with the people in Hong Kong and overcoming one difficulty after another.

The president listed his three hopes for the Hong Kong people.

He hoped them to do a better job in adapting themselves to the new Hong Kong after 1997 and become better masters of Hong Kong and of the motherland.

"The executive, legislative and judicial bodies of the Hong Kong SAR will constantly improve their job performance so as to provide better services to the public and society," he added.

He also hoped that the SAR government and the Hong Kong people in general will strengthen their confidence and work persistently towards a new economic landscape in Hong Kong.

Tung expressed thanks to President Jiang Zemin for the care andtrust that he has shown for the HKSAR.

Tung said, "Ever since the Basic Law was promulgated in 1990, in the period leading up to the birth of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 1997, and thereafter in the implementation of 'one country, two systems', President Jiang has shown his care for Hong Kong, kept his trust in us and given us full support."

To overcome the economic difficulties Hong Kong is now facing, Tung called on Hong Kong people to persevere and focus their minds.

The path ahead is one of hope, though laden with many challenges. The advancement of the country urges us on. The successful implementation of 'one country, two systems' and the unfailing support of the central government encourage us, he said.

"What is essential now is for us to forge ahead collectively and single-mindedly on the basis of solidarity and confidence," hestressed.

Artists from the mainland and Hong Kong gave splendid art performance after the ceremony.

At the end of the event, the participants and the artists on the stage sang the popular song "Tomorrow Will Be Better" together.

Jiang went onto the stage and shook hands with the performers.

Among the more than 2,000 people attending the ceremony were Vice-Premier Qian Qichen and his wife Zhou Hanqiong, Vice-Chairmanof the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference NationalCommittee Henry Ying Tung Fok, Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah of the Macao SAR, leaders of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR, the Office of Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong SAR, and the PLA Hong Kong Garrison.

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