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President Jiang Zemin has today (Tuesday) arrived at the start of an official visit to celebrate the first anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

President Jiang, in Hong Kong at the invitation of the HKSARG, was accompanied by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, who had especially flown to Beijing on Monday to accompany the official party back to Hong Kong.

Mr Tung extended a warm and hearty welcome to President Jiang and Mrs Jiang, and the official party, which included Vice Premier Mr Qian Qichen and Mrs Qian and the heads of various Central People's Government (CPG) departments.

"On behalf of the people of Hong Kong and the SAR Government I express our heartfelt thanks to President Jiang, Vice Premier Qian and the heads of the CPG departments on their visit to Hong Kong," Mr Tung said.

"It is most encouraging to have CPG leaders attend our celebration activities and the opening ceremony for the new airport, both of which are major events for the SAR.

"Their presence is a demonstration of their great support and true concern for Hong Kong."

Greeting the VIPs at the airport were the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Justice Andrew Li, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Anson Chan, the Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang, the Secretary for Justice, Ms Elsie Leung, Executive Council convenor Dr Sze-yuen Chung and the Provisional Legislative Council president, Mrs Rita Fan.

The welcoming party also included a team of 150 school children and performance by the police band.

During the two-and-a-half-day visit, President Jiang and the official party will have an eventful programme.

End/Tuesday, June 30, 1998

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Photo Caption: President Jiang Zemin, accompanied by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, arrives in Hong Kong today (Tuesday) to attend activities to celebrate the first anniversary of Hong Kong's reunification with the mainland. He is greeted by Mainland officials in Hong Kong and senior officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government at the Kai Tak International Airport.