HONG KONG, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President
Xi Jinping arrived at the Hong Kong Lok Ma Chau cross-boundary checkpoint from
Shenzhen on Sunday morning, kicking off a three-day inspection tour of the city.
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Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (L) shakes hands with Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government Chief Executive Donald Tsang in Hong Kong, south China, July 6, 2008. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)
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Upon his arrival, Xi was greeted by Donald Tsang,
Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)
government and principal officials of the HKSAR government.
While meeting the press at the checkpoint, Xi said
the main purpose of his three-day visit is to have a field inspection on Hong
Kong's preparations for the equestrian events of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and
Paralympics, as well as to see in person the city's profound changes since its
return to the motherland 11 years ago.
Hong Kong is home to one of the six venues of the
2008 Olympics outside Beijing, the host city.
"For more than three years, the HKSAR government and
people from all walks of life have done a lot of solid and effective work for
the events," Xi said.
Xi said that he had visited Hong Kong several times when he was working at localities, but this was his first official tour to the SAR since he began to work at the central authorities. He hoped to see as many places as possible in Hong Kong.
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Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (L, Front) delivers a speech after he arrived at the Hong Kong Lok Ma Chau cross-boundary checkpoint from Shenzhen, south China, July 6, 2008, starting a three-day inspection tour of the city. (Xinhua Photo)
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On behalf of the central government, Xi extended
sincere thanks to the SAR government and local communities for their active
support to the Sichuan quake relief. He also asked the press to convey his
heartfelt regards to the people of Hong Kong.
The vice president will also make an inspection tour
of other places in the city.
