Celebrations marked by support
By Le Tian (China Daily)

HONG KONG: President Hu Jintao reaffirmed on Friday the central government's strong commitment to the 'one country, two systems' concept.

The government also stands by its commitment to the principle of "high autonomy of Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong", he said.

President Hu Jintao talks to Donald Tsang, chief executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, after playing table tennis with students at the Hong Kong Sports Institute on Friday. Hu, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and chairman of the Central Military Commission, and his wife Liu Yongqing flew into Hong Kong from Beijing on Friday morning to attend celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to its motherland. Edmond Tang

Both core ideals ultimately promote the long-term stability and prosperity of the region.

Hu, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the pledge when meeting Donald Tsang, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

Hu said Hong Kong's development was a proud achievement, and he had great confidence in its future.

He said he hoped the SAR government, led by Tsang, would further focus its efforts on improving people's livelihoods, boosting economic development and bolstering its administrative capability.

Hu arrived here on Friday on a three-day visit to attend celebrations of the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.

Tsang thanked the central government for its support, saying the Hong Kong people had been well aware of the advantages of the "one country, two systems" from their experiences in the past decade as well as the importance of exchanges and cooperation with the mainland.

After months of preparation, the HKSAR government is rolling out 460 events combining Chinese and Western elements for the celebrations.

National and regional flags have been raised on the vessels docked in the Victoria Port; and special signs and banners marking the 10th anniversary have been erected along Hong Kong's streets.

A group of Buddhists will toll a bell for three hours to mark the handover on the eve of July 1 before the big day begins with a flag-raising ceremony and ends with a fireworks display.

The People's Liberation Army, which has maintained a low-key presence in the SAR, will be involved in four events, including a demonstration on Sunday by its parachute brigade.

The British Museum has offered more than 200 artifacts for display while a series of sports events have been planned with big-name international stars.

Local residents have been upbeat about Hu's visit, the first one to Hong Kong as Chinese president.

"We welcome the president's visit," Ho Ka-wai, a taxi driver, said.

"In the past 10 years, Hong Kong experienced difficulties such as Asian financial crisis and SARS pandemic and now the economy is again upbeat. I hope the central government can continue to support Hong Kong and help Hong Kong in its economic growth."

Hu's itinerary includes a military review of the People's Liberation Army Garrison in Hong Kong on Saturday.

(China Daily 06/30/2007 page1)