Xi arrives in Hong Kong for the 25th anniversary of the region's return to the motherland

HONG KONG -- President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday afternoon by train to attend a meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the inaugural ceremony of the sixth-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on July 1. He will also inspect the region.

The train Xi took smoothly pulled into the West Kowloon high-speed railway station at about 3:10 pm. Walking out of the carriage, Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan were greeted by HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam and her husband Lam Siu-por. At the welcome ceremony, with the Hong Kong Police Band playing passionate songs and artists performing lion dances full of spirit, several hundreds of local teenagers and representatives from all walks of life waved national flags, the HKSAR flags, and flowers to express their warm welcome. Xi and Peng waved back to the welcoming crowd.

Xi's visit to Hong Kong has drawn great attention both at home and abroad. Chinese and international journalists had lined up at the press area when Xi walked there and extended greetings. He said tomorrow is the celebration day for the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. People of all ethnic groups across the country will join Hong Kong compatriots in celebrating this great event. I would like to extend my warm congratulations and best wishes to all Hong Kong compatriots, Xi said.

Xi noted that he has always paid attention to and cared about Hong Kong and he and the central government have always stood with the people in Hong Kong. In the recent past, Hong Kong underwent severe tests and succeeded in overcoming all risks and challenges. Having gone through the storms, Hong Kong has gotten a new life, showing great vigor. What Hong Kong has achieved proves that "one country, two systems" has strong vitality and is a system that can ensure Hong Kong's lasting prosperity and stability and the well-being of Hong Kong compatriots, Xi said.

Xi stressed that make strides without giving up and a bright future awaits. If "one country, two systems" is unwaveringly upheld, there will surely be better prospects for Hong Kong's development and the region will certainly make new and greater contributions to national rejuvenation.

Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, Xu Qiliang, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, Shen Yueyue, vice chairperson of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, Wang Yi, state councilor and foreign minister, Xia Baolong, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and head of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, and other officials accompanying Xi arrived by the same train.

Leung Chun-ying, vice chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, incoming HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee, Chief Justice of HKSAR's Court of Final Appeal Andrew Cheung Kui-nung, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government Paul Chan, Secretary for Justice of the HKSAR Government Teresa Cheng, President of the HKSAR Legislative Council Andrew Leung, and Convenor of the Non-Official Members of the HKSAR Executive Council Bernard Charnwut Chan, among others, welcomed Xi and the accompanying group's arrival at the station.

Luo Huining, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Zheng Yanxiong, director of the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Liu Guangyuan, commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR, Peng Jingtang, commander of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison, Lai Ruxin, political commissar of the PLA Hong Kong Garrison, and others were also present at the station to give their welcomes.