President Hu Jintao arrived in Hong Kong at about 11:30 AM Friday to attend the celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of the territory's return to China and the swearing-in ceremony of the third-term government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

HKSAR Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen mounted the special plane to welcome Hu Jintao and his wife Liu Yongqing.

Hu told reporters at the airport that "the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China is a happy event for Hong Kong and for the whole country as well."

"I'm sincerely happy about Hong Kong's achievements since returning to the motherland 10 years ago, and I'm more confident about Hong Kong's future," Hu said.

The government of the HKSAR has united and led all the Hong Kong people in overcoming all sorts of difficulties and risks with the support of the central government and the people of the motherland, resulting in Hong Kong's progress and brilliant achievements, Hu said.

He added that the HKSAR government has gained experience in successfully running Hong Kong under the principle of "one country, two systems".

Hu said he is looking forward to witnessing Hong Kong's new changes, new developments and new progress and to sharing the happiness with the Hong Kong people on the occasion of the anniversary.

Among Hu's entourage aboard the same plane were Wang Gang, alternate member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, Sheng Huaren, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), Tang Jiaxuan, state councilor, Liao Hui, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, and Liang Guanglie, member of the Central Military Commission and chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Hu and his entourage were also greeted at the airport by HKSAR Chief Executive Donald Tsang's wife Selina Tsang, Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal Andrew Li Kwok-nang, Chief Secretary for Administration Rafael Hui Si-yan, Financial Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen, Secretary for Justice Wong Yan Lung, President of the Legislative Council Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai, and Leung Chun-ying, convenor of the non-official members of the Executive Council.

Gao Siren, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Lu Xinhua, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR, and Wang Jitang, commander, and Zhang Rucheng, political commissar, of the Chinese PLA Garrison in the HKSAR, were also present at the airport to greet Hu.

(Xinhua News Agency June 29, 2007)