The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, held a meeting with the Director of the Xinhua News Agency Hong Kong Branch, Mr Jiang Enzhu, this afternoon. Cordial and friendly exchanges were made during the hour-long meeting.

Congratulating Mr Jiang on his appointment as the Director of the Xinhua News Agency Hong Kong Branch, Mr Tung said: "The agency has done a lot in the past decades to promote the link between Hong Kong people and the mainland as well as to enhance local people's understanding of China, particularly since Hong Kong moved into the transition period. Xinhua has played an important role and made significant contribution to Hong Kong's stability, prosperity and smooth transition."

"With the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong has entered a new era in history. There is still much to be done to foster the link between the people of Hong Kong and their mainland counterparts, and to enhance mutual trust and understanding."

He strongly believed that under Mr Jiang's leadership, the Xinhua News Agency Hong Kong Branch would contribute even more to the continued prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

During the meeting, Mr Jiang said since the establishment of the SAR more than a month ago, the Government led by the Chief Executive had been making steady progress in various aspects.

With a stable society and a thriving economy, people had been fully confident of Hong Kong's future, he said.

He also wished the SAR continued success.

Mr Jiang said the Xinhua News Agency Hong Kong Branch had maintained a good relationship with the HKSAR.

Noting that Hong Kong practised "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong" and "a high degree of autonomy", Mr Jiang said the agency would not interfere with matters which fell in the domain of the high degree of autonomy of the SAR Government, but would co-operate with the SARG and support its work.

He added that the agency would maintain extensive contacts with people from various walks of life in Hong Kong. It would continue its efforts in enhancing communication and interflow between the two places so as to maintain the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.