President Hu in HK for 15th return anniversary

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President Hu Jintao on Friday kicked off a three-day visit to Hong Kong to attend celebrations marking the 15th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and witness the inauguration of the fourth-term government of the Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

President Hu Jintao (C) delivers a speech upon his arrival at Hong Kong International Airport in Hong Kong June 29. [Xinhua]

Upon his arrival at the Hong Kong International Airport at noon, Hu said the central government is willing to work with the Hong Kong people from all walks of life to draw up the "valuable experiences" in carrying out the "one country, two systems" policy over the past 15 years for further development.

Hu expressed the hope to visit places "as many as possible" in order to learn about the city's latest development and progress and have a better understanding of the citizens' life and expectations.

Red carpet was rolled out and flag-waving children cheered when HKSAR Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen mounted the special plane to welcome Hu, who visited the city exactly five years ago for the tenth anniversary of the SAR's establishment.

Chief Executive-elect Leung Chun-ying and a group of high- ranking officials were also present at the airport to greet Hu.

Thumbs up to outgoing HK chief

Hours after the arrival, Hu held a meeting with Donald Tsang. He told the outgoing chief executive the central government fully recognized the work of him during his seven-year term of office.

Under the leadership of Donald Tsang, the HKSAR government has performed its duty in accordance with law and worked in a practical and enterprising manner, Hu said.

The HKSAR government has attained remarkable achievements, especially in coping with the impact brought by the international financial crisis, deepening exchanges and cooperation between Hong Kong and the mainland, and formulating and carrying out a series of policies to boost economic growth and improve the people's livelihood, said Hu.

Tsang thanked the central government for its care to Hong Kong and support to his work.

"It is with the central government's support that Hong Kong has weathered through the global financial crisis and consolidated its status as a global center for finance, trade and shipment," said Tsang, adding that the HKSAR government has been accumulating more governing experience.

Tsang said with the strong support of the central government and the hard work of the Hong Kong people, any difficulties could be overcome.

Hu attended a private dinner hosted by Tsang at the Government House after the meeting.

"Gift" to boost HI-mainland ties

Prior to the anniversary celebrations, the central government and the SAR government have announced a slew of new policies with the aim to unleash potentials of mainland-Hong Kong cooperation, boost the local economy and improve the people's livelihood, which have been interpreted by many locals as a "big gift" to the city.

On Friday, the mainland announced a detailed plan to foster a special zone in the southern boomtown of Shenzhen neighboring Hong Kong to forge closer cooperation between the city and the mainland.

Meanwhile, a new supplementary agreement to the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement was signed to open the mainland market wider to Hong Kong service industries, which contributed to more than 90 percent of the city's annual economic output.

The agreement provided for a total of 43 measures for services liberalization and trade and investment facilitation, covering 22 service sectors such as education, medical treatment, construction, telecommunication, banking, brokerage, tourism and railway transportation.

On the same day, the central government issued 23 billion yuan (3.64 billion U.S. dollars) in yuan-denominated sovereign bonds in Hong Kong to support the city's economy.

The central government also vowed to promote the further development of the offshore yuan market in Hong Kong, which will help secure Hong Kong's status as a major international financial hub.

Garrison told not safeguard HK

On Friday afternoon, President Hu, also chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspected the Chinese People's Liberation Army ( PLA) Garrison in the HKSAR at Shek Kong barracks.

In the company of Zhang Shibo, commander of the PLA Garrison in the HKSAR, Hu consecutively inspected troops in 15 formations of more than 3,000 soldiers, including guard of honor, army, navy, air force, women soldiers, infantry, armored force and helicopters.

About 4,000 spectators, including Hong Kong youths attending the garrison's military summer camp and college students who received military training in recent years, were present on the occasion.

The PLA Hong Kong garrison is responsible for defense in Hong Kong since its return to the motherland in 1997.

In his meeting with garrison officers, Hu spoke highly of the garrison for the impressive performance of officers and soldiers in fulfilling various missions over the past 15 years, which has won them wide praise from Hong Kong citizens.

He urged the garrison to steadfastly abide by the Basic Law and Garrison Law of the HKSAR, boost capacity building to fulfill multiple military tasks, and try to be models in loving Hong Kong and putting the citizens first, so as to make greater contribution for the city's long-term prosperity and stability.

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