President Hu Jintao (L) arrives in Macao at around 11:30 a.m. (local time) on Dec. 19, 2004. He arrived here to attend a celebration gathering to mark the 5th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland. (Xinhua Photo/Li Xueren) Chinese President Hu Jintao speaks to the press at the International Airport of Macao, Dec. 19, 2004. Hu (Xinhua Photo/Li Xueren)

Photo taken on Dec. 18, 2004 shows the charming night view in Macao, south China. Macao has been beautifully decorated for the celebration of the fifth anniversary of its return to the motherland, which falls on Dec. 20. (Xinhua Photo/Li Peng)

    MACAO, Dec. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived here Sunday by special plane to attend a celebration gathering marking the 5th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland.

    Hu, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission, will attend the inauguration of the second-term government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR).

    This is the first time for Hu Jintao to come to the Macao SAR.

    At around 11:30, Hu Jintao's special plane landed at the Macao International Airport.

    Macao Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah went up to the special plane to welcome Hu Jintao and his wife Liu Yongqing.

    When President Hu and his wife went down the ramp with smiles, the Macao Police Band began to strike up a tune of welcome and twolovely primary school pupils presented bouquets of flowers to them.

    Accompanied by Edmund Ho Hau Wah and his wife Tatiana Lau, Hu Jintao and his wife Liu Yongqing shook hands with Macao principal officials and other officials who were present beside the ramp to greet Hu.

    Hu waved to the representatives from various walks of life and school children who held miniature national flag and Macao SAR flag as well as flowers to greet him.

    Hu told reporters at the international airport that he is very glad to attend the celebration gathering marking the 5th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland and the inauguration of the second-term government of the Macao SAR.

    Hu extended congratulations and greetings to Macao people on behalf of the Central Government and the people of all ethnic groups of the country.

    He said that since it returned to the motherland five years ago,Macao has achieved great successes in the economic, social and other sectors.

    Macao people are delighted at these achievements and so are theCentral Government and the people of all ethnic groups of the country, he said.

    The president expressed confidence that Macao's tomorrow will be more beautiful as long as the Macao people continue to make concerted efforts under the leadership of the Macao SAR governmentled by Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau Wah.

    Hu is accompanied by Wang Gang, alternative member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee; Tang Jiaxuan, state councilor; Liao Hui, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) andhead of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council; and Liang Guanglie, member of the Central Military Commission and chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).

    Hu was also greeted by Ma Man Kei, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC; Susana Chou, president of the Macao Legislative Assembly; Sam Hou Fai, president of the Court ofFinal Appeal; and some other Macao SAR principal officials.

    Bai Zhijian, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR; Wan Yongxiang, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Macao SAR; Liu Lianhua, commander of the Chinese PLA Garrison Troops in Macao SAR; and Yang Zhongmin, political commissar of the Chinese PLA Garrison Troops in the Macao SAR, also went to the airport to welcome the president.

    Hu and other members of the delegation went to the hotel where they will stay in Macao after the winding up of a welcome ceremonyat the airport.

    During his two-day stay in Macao, Hu will meet with principal officials of the Macao SAR government and celebrities from all walks of life in Macao and inspect troops of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Garrison in the Macao SAR.

    Hu Jintao will also visit Macao's major sites of historic interest, learn more about the construction and development process of the Macao SAR since its return to the motherland.

    President Hu Jintao will also meet with Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa, who will attend the celebration activities. Enditem