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Hospital patients and shoppers received a VIP visit today (Wednesday) from President Jiang Zemin, Vice Premier Qian Qichen and the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa.

The visits were organised to give President Jiang the chance to meet Hong Kong residents during his trip to celebrate the 1st Anniversary of the HKSASR.

At Sha Tin Hospital, President Jiang was greeted at the front entrance by Hospital Authority chairman Peter Woo.

The President and VIP guests toured a recovery and recreation centre, where they met about 35 elderly patients who had organised a special singing and Lion Dance performance.

President Jiang delighted the group with a demonstration of his calligraphy skills by writing a scroll: 'Jiang Zemin, July 1, 1998, Sha Tin Hospital'.

After a 20-minute visit the VIP group headed for the Sunshine City Plaza at nearby Ma On Shan, where they received a rousing welcome from thousands of cheering and clapping residents.

President Jiang and Mr Tung were surrounded by the well-wishers and even managed to call in on a few shopkeepers for chat and to pose for photographs during the 15-minute walkabout.

At the same time, and far from the crowds in the quieter atmosphere of Government House, the Chief Executive's wife, Mrs Betty Tung, hosted a tea reception for Mrs Jiang and Mrs Qian.

President Jiang returned to Hong Kong Island at 5pm, where he met Mainland principal officials based in Hong Kong and then went on to meet Executive Council members, HKSARG principal officials and local VIPs.

Later tonight President Jiang will be guest of honour at the 1st Anniversary Banquet to be held in the Grand Hall of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre Extension and attended by 1,100 guests.

The banquet venue will most certainly bring back memories for President Jiang, Mr Qian, the Chief Executive and many VIPs - it was the site of the historic Handover Ceremony one year ago.

Ends/Wednesday, July 1, 1998

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Photo Caption: President Jiang Zemin delights patients at Sha Tin Hospital with a display of his calligraphy work. President Jiang wrote:'Jiang Zemin, July 1, 1998, Sha Tin Hospital'.

Photo Caption: President Jiang Zemin looks over the calligraphy work of patients during a visit to Sha Tin Hospital today (Wednesday). With President Jiang were (from left) the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr David Lan; the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa; and Hospital Authority Chairman, Mr Peter Woo.

Photo Caption: President Jiang Zemin greets a patient in Sha Tin Hospital during his visit to Ma On Shan this (Wednesday) afternoon.

Photo Caption: President Jiang Zemin waves to the crowd during a visit to the Sunshine City Plaza shopping mall at Ma On Shan today (Wednesday).

Photo Caption: President Jiang Zemin this (Wednesday) evening meets with about 100 senior Hong Kong SAR Government officials, ExCo members and local celebrities in Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Photo shows President Jiang (second from left) being greeted by Executive Council members.

Photo Caption: President Jiang Zemin (right) this (Wednesday) evening meets with about 100 senior Hong Kong SAR Government officials, ExCo members and local celebrities in Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.