Special Report: 10th Anniversary of HK’s Return to China

    HONG KONG, June 30 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Hu Jintao Saturday called for fostering a strong sense of national identity among the young people in Hong Kong.

    ”We should foster a strong sense of national identity among the young people in Hong Kong and promote exchanges between them and the young people of the mainland so that they will carry forward the Hong Kong people’s great tradition of ‘loving the motherland and loving Hong Kong,” said Hu while toasting at a welcoming dinner hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government.

    Hu showed particular concern for the young people in Hong Kong, “because they represent the future of Hong Kong and, indeed, the future of China.”

    President Hu arrived here Friday to attend the celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the swearing-in ceremony of the third-term HKSAR government.

Special Report: 10th Anniversary of HK’s Return to China

    HONG KONG, June 30 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Hu Jintao here on Saturday evening hailed the achievements Hong Kong has made since its return to the motherland in 1997.

    Hu expressed the praise while proposing a toast at the welcoming dinner hosted for him by the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

    The president said Hong Kong has prevailed over difficulties over the past decade and is now full of vigor and vitality.

    He eulogized the Hong Kong people for having worked together with perseverance and carried forward the proud tradition of “loving the motherland and loving Hong Kong.”

    He also praised the Hong Kong people for having shown unprecedented great enthusiasm in running Hong Kong’s affairs since the region returned to China.

    ”You have every reason to congratulate yourselves on what has been achieved in this new historical era,” said the president.

    Hu said the progress Hong Kong has made includes the maintenance of its status as a free port as well as an international financial, trade and shipping center, continued economic growth and social stability, higher living standards, greater public confidence and rising international standing.

    He said the whole Chinese nation takes great pride in these achievements Hong Kong has made since its return.

    ”We take great pride in your talent, energy and dedication that have made these achievements possible,” the president said.

    Hu arrived here Friday to attend celebrations to mark the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland and the swearing-in ceremony of the third term government of the HKSAR.  

Special Report: 10th Anniversary of HK’s Return to China

    HONG KONG, June 30 (Xinhua) — The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) hosted a welcoming dinner in honor of Chinese President Hu Jintao here Saturday evening.

    Toasting at the dinner, Hu said that the success of Hong Kong since its return bears full testimony to the immense vitality of the concept of “one country, two systems.”

    He said that “one country, two systems” is a good policy for Hong Kong, for the whole country, for international investors and for prosperity in the region.

    The progress Hong Kong has made includes the maintenance of its status as a free port as well as an international financial, trade and shipping center, continued economic growth and social stability, higher living standards, greater public confidence and rising international standing, Hu said.

    He called on Hong Kong people to work together to ensure Hong Kong’s stability and development.

    ”To ensure stability and development in Hong Kong, a society of diversity, it is important that its people set aside differences, be inclusive and work together to promote their common interests.

    ”The people of Hong Kong from all social groups, professions and organizations, and with various political beliefs and faiths should follow the call of ‘loving the motherland and loving Hong Kong’, close ranks, uphold China’s national interests and Hong Kong’s overall interests, and strive to sustain Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability,” said Hu.

    In his toasting, Hu showed particular concern for the young people in Hong Kong, “because they represent the future of Hong Kong and, indeed, the future of China.”

    ”We should foster a strong sense of national identity among the young people in Hong Kong and promote exchanges between them and the young people of the mainland so that they will carry forward the Hong Kong people’s great tradition of ‘loving the motherland and loving Hong Kong’,” said Hu.

    Also speaking at the dinner, Chief Executive of the HKSAR Donald Tsang, on behalf of the people of Hong Kong and the SAR government, extended the warmest welcome and deepest gratitude to President Hu and his entourage.

    Tsang said, “Looking back over this past decade, we can rightly take pride in our achievements and the many unforgettable challenges we have overcome. The one that stands out the most is our success in working together to turn the great concept of ‘one country, two systems’ into a living reality.”

    He said the world can see that under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong is more vibrant than ever. The rapid development of the mainland has undoubtedly presented Hong Kong with more opportunities.

    ”Given the valuable experience we have gained over the past decade,” he said, the government and people of Hong Kong “are even more confident that Hong Kong will shine brighter under the innovative concept of ‘one country, two systems’ and be able to contribute even more to our country’s development in the years ahead,” he said.

    President Hu came to Hong Kong on Friday to attend the celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to China and the swearing-in ceremony of the third-term HKSAR government.

Special Report: 10th Anniversary of HK’s Return to China

    HONG KONG, June 30 (Xinhua) — Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan attended a giant panda presentation ceremony held in Hong Kong Saturday afternoon, and presented a pair of pandas to Hong Kong on behalf of the Chinese central government.

    The Chinese central government gave the pair of giant pandas “Ying Ying” and “Le Le” to Hong Kong as a gift to celebrate the10th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to the motherland.

    Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Tang said that giant pandas are “national treasure” of China, representing good luck. The central government has presented two pairs of giant pandas to Hong Kong, showing its care and blessing for Hong Kong as well as the affection between the people of Hong Kong and the mainland.

    In 1999, the central government presented the first pair of pandas “An An” and “Jia Jia” to Hong Kong. In April this year, the second pair “Le Le” and “Ying Ying” arrived in Hong Kong. Both pairs are living at Hong Kong Ocean Park.

    Tang said he hoped that “Le Le” and “Ying Ying” will bring happiness and good luck to Hong Kong.

    After the ceremony, Tang viewed the new habitat of the giant pandas at Hong Kong Ocean Park.

Special Report: 10th Anniversary of HK’s Return to China

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with Edmund Ho Hau Wah, Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region, in Hong Kong, south China on June 30, 2007. Ho Hau Wah was here to attend the celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to its motherland. (Xinhua Photo)

    HONG KONG, June 30 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Edmund Ho Hau Wah, chief executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR), at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center Saturday afternoon.

    The president said that Macao has seen the successful implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle since its return to the motherland eight years ago, and enjoyed stability, a fast-growing economy and improved living standards of people.

    Hu said the central government fully affirms the achievements Macao has made over the past eight years and hopes the Macao SAR government will sum up its own experience and further improve its job.

    Hu said Macao and Hong Kong, both China’s special administrative regions, could share experience in the implementation of the “one country, two systems” principle. The central government sincerely hopes the two regions will cooperate in making their progress, he added.

    Ho Hau Wah extended gratitude to the president for the central government’s concern and support.

    He said the MSAR government will try to do a good job in every aspect to ensure the sustainable and healthy growth of its economy and the long-term stability and harmony of its society.

    President Hu arrived here Friday to attend the 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.

Special Report: 10th Anniversary of HK’s Return to China

    HONG KONG, June 30 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Hu Jintao met with representatives from all walks of life in Hong Kong at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center on Saturday afternoon.