HK Chief Executive takes oath to Chinese Premier

Donald Tsang, took an oath of office as the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabaoat 9:00 a.m. Friday in Beijing.

The oath-taking ceremony was presided over by Hua Jianmin, state councilor and secretary-general of the State Council, at the Hong Kong hall of the Great Hall of the People amid the Chinese national anthem. Hua read out State Council's No. 437 Decree, which appointed Donald Tsang as the Chief Executive of HKSAR.

After that, Donald Tsang took oath of office to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. And Premier Wen issued the letter of appointment made by the Central Government to Donald Tsang.

After the ceremony, Premier Wen, when meeting with Tsang, sent his sincere congratulations to Tsang and hoped Tsang will lead the HKSAR government and the Hong Kong people to make new contributions to Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.

Premier Wen stressed that the Central Government will resolutely stick to the "One China, Two Systems" policy, strictly follow the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR and give full support to the HKSAR government for its governance by law.

Tsang showed his appreciation to the Central Government's appointment and noted that he will perform his duties in accordance with law and go all out to live up to the great expectations of the Central Government and the Hong Kong people.

Also present at the ceremony and the meeting were Vice Premier Wu Yi, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and Liao Hui, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council.

Elsie Leung Oi-sie, secretary for Justice of the HKSAR government, Stephen Lam Sui-lung, secretary for Constitutional Affairs of the HKSAR government, as well as Tsang's wife also attended the oath-taking ceremony.

Source: Xinhua