Ceremony Marks 5th Anniversary of HK's Return to Motherland: Roundup

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, July 02, 2002

Ceremony Marks 5th Anniversary of HK's Return to Motherland: Roundup

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Flag-Hoisting Ceremony to Mark Fifth Anniversary of HK's Return to Motherland

Monday saw the second-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) being inaugurated and crowds of local residents reveling here and there to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.

A grand flag raising ceremony was held in the morning at the seafront outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center Extension in Wanchai, attended by Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa, his wife Betty Tung and more than 600 guests.

At 8:00 a.m., the five-star red flag of the People's Republic of China and the regional flag of the HKSAR were hoisted to the tune of the Chinese national anthem.

Four helicopters, one draped with the Chinese national flag andanother with the HKSAR flag, flew overhead, while six boats representing the disciplined services were sailing past the Victoria Harbor.

At 8:57 a.m., accompanied by Tung Chee Hwa, Chinese President Jiang Zemin arrived at the Grand Hall of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center, where the ceremony marking China's resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong was held in 1997.

Under the supervision of Jiang, Tung Chee Hwa was sworn in as his second term of the chief executive.

Tung walked to the rostrum, facing the national flag and the regional flag, and raised his right hand. He said, "I, upon assuming the office of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, pledge to uphold the Basic Law of the HKSAR of the People's Republic of China (PRC), be loyal to the HKSAR of the PRC, fulfillmy duties wholeheartedly, abide by laws, be clean and honest, serve the HKSAR, and be responsible for the PRC and the HKSAR."

Also administered by President Jiang Zemin, 14 principal officials appointed under the accountability system and five principal officials heading the disciplined services, the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Audit Commissiontook oath.

Speaking at the ceremony, Tung said Hong Kong possesses the ability to overcome the current economic difficulties although it is going to be a long and arduous process.

He noted if Hong Kong adopts effective measures, fully utilizesand develops its strategic geographical location, favorable business environment, pool of quality human resources, and prudently uses its sizable fiscal reserves, and fully capitalizes on China's WTO membership and the resultant rapid economic growth,Hong Kong will come out of the current difficulties.

Then, Jiang made a speech at the ceremony. He said Hong Kong continues to enjoy the reputation as one of the most dynamic regions in Asia and the world as a whole, retaining the status as a free port and international center of trade, finance and shipping.

"Facts have shown convincingly that 'one country, two systems' is entirely workable, that Mr. Tung Chee Hwa and the SAR Government under his leadership have the talent and ability to siton top of complicated situations and that Hong Kong people are fully capable of administering Hong Kong successfully," the president said.

Artists from the mainland and Hong Kong gave splendid performances after the ceremony. They, together with all the participants, sang on the stage the popular song "Tomorrow Will BeBetter."

Starting from 8:00 p.m., magnificent fireworks were displayed over the Victoria Harbor, lasting for 23 minutes and drawing more than 400,000 spectators.

The display was choreographed to cover 11 historical eras of Hong Kong, reminding the people of the uncommon days Hong Kong hasexperienced and highlighting a bright future of Hong Kong, the "Pearl of the Orient."

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