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Vice President addresses welcoming banquet in HK

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-07-08 07:25

HONG KONG -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping delivered a keynote speech at a welcoming banquet hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government here Monday evening, elaborating his understanding of and expectations to the HKSAR.

Xi started his toast at the dinner by extending warm greetings and best wishes to Hong Kong people on behalf of the central government and President Hu Jintao.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at a welcoming banquet hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government Monday evening July 7, 2008 [Xinhua]

"Over the past 11 years since Hong Kong's return, what you have achieved is truly commendable," Xi told about 400 guests attending the dinner in his televised speech at the Shangri-La Hotel, "we are here to feel for ourselves the profound changes that have taken place in Hong Kong since its return."

Xi expressed his thanks to the HKSAR government and Hong Kong compatriots for their strong support to the Chinese mainland in the rescue and relief efforts in earthquake-hit southwest China, as well as their contributions to the preparations of the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"We in the Chinese mainland are deeply touched by the profound friendship of our Hong Kong compatriots with whom we share the strongest blood ties," said Xi, who takes charge of the Hong Kong and Macao affairs and a top-level leading group for the preparations of the Beijing Olympics and Paralymics.

The vice president said he was confident that the HKSAR government and Hong Kong compatriots will host warm, splendid and successful equestrian events during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

As one of the six co-host cities, Hong Kong will stage the Beijing Olympics equestrian events in August.

Xi said the HKSAR government has led the preparatory work with great sense of commitment and the Equestrian Committee (Hong Kong)and the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong have been working in close collaboration with all sectors of Hong Kong.

The whole country and the whole world are deeply impressed by Hong Kong people's enthusiasm, their level of participation and their passion for the Olympics, he noted.

Xi announced that the Ministry of Commerce and the HKSAR government will soon sign a document on the arrangement to facilitate entry of Hong Kong service providers to the Chinese mainland, particularly Guangdong Province.

"In future, the central government will continue to give strong support to all initiatives and endeavors aimed at developing the economy and improving people's lives in Hong Kong," Xi stressed.

With the strong support of the motherland and the united efforts of the HKSAR government and Hong Kong people of all sectors, Hong Kong will overcome all risks, difficulties and challenges on its way of development, he added.

Xi said Hong Kong now enjoys social stability, economic growth and higher living standard, and its future is even more promising.

"What has happened has proved and will continue to show that the policy of 'one country, two systems" is the right choice for Hong Kong and has strong vitality," he said, adding, "our Hong Kong compatriots will administer Hong Kong well and bring greater prosperity to the people."

In the welcoming banquet in honor of the vice president, Chief Executive of HKSAR Donald Tsang pledged that Hong Kong will do its best to make the equestrian events a great success to demonstrate that Hong Kong people are worthy of the trust bestowed upon them by the nation.

Xi arrived in Hong Kong on Sunday morning for a three-day inspection tour of the special administrative region.