Chinese President Hu Jintao attended a gathering marking the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China and the inauguration of the third-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in Hong Kong Sunday morning.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang went to the podium first to take his oath solemnly, administered by President Hu.

Principal officials of the third-term HKSAR government and members of the Executive Council also took their oaths.

After the inauguration, Tsang addressed the gathering, expressing his gratitude to the central government and Hong Kong citizens for their support for the third-term HKSAR government, and vowing to go all out to do his job well.

President Hu delivered an important speech after the inauguration.

Chinese President Hu Jintao said that the central government will remain committed to the principles of "one country, two systems," "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy and will act in strict accordance with the Basic Law.

The past decade has been ground-breaking in significance for the cause of "one country, two systems," Hu told the gathering.

The people of Hong Kong have enjoyed extensive democratic rights and freedom. The principles of "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy have been turned into a living reality, Hu said.

During the past decade, the two chief executives, Tung Chee Hwa and Donald Tsang, with the full support of the central government and the mainland, led the HKSAR government and people in meeting such grave challenges as the Asian financial crisis and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Hu said.

Hong Kong's exchanges and cooperation and particularly its business ties with the mainland have grown increasingly closer. With stronger support from the mainland, Hong Kong serves as an important window and bridge for China's economic, scientific, technological and cultural exchanges with the rest of the world, Hu said.

"Through their dedicated efforts, the people in Hong Kong have both promoted the development of Hong Kong and contributed their share to China's modernization drive," Hu said.

"We have obtained much valuable experience in this great endeavor," he said.

Hu pledged that the central government will firmly support the chief executive and the government of the HKSAR in exercising government power as mandated by law.

The central government will also fully support Hong Kong in promoting economic development, improving well-being of the people and developing democracy, said the president.

He promised that the central government will vigorously promote exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong in economy, education, science and technology, culture, public health, sports and other fields.

It will also actively support HKSAR in conducting external exchanges, he added.

"All the central government policies concerning Hong Kong are designed to promote the interests of Hong Kong and its people," he said.

He also talked about upholding social harmony and stability. People from different social groups and sectors in Hong Kong have different interests and priorities, but the vast majority of the Hong Kong people love the motherland and Hong Kong. There will be no problem or difference that can not be settled, he said.

Hong Kong has steadily expanded its relations with other parts of the world. It has remained a free port and an international financial, trade and shipping center, said the president.

Hong Kong has been consistently rated as the most open and free economy and one of the most dynamic regions with the best business environment in the world. "Hong Kong, an international metropolis, is thriving as never before," Hu added.

The president arrived in Hong Kong Friday to attend the celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland and the inauguration of the third-term government of the HKSAR.

(Xinhua News Agency July 1, 2007)