Jiang to back Hong Kong's economic recovery

Tung (r) and Jiang (c) toast Vice-Premier Qian Qichen on the eve of the handover anniversary

HONG KONG, China (CNN) -- Chinese President Jiang Zemin has vowed to support Hong Kong's economic recovery while speaking at a ceremony in the Special Administrative Region (SAR) to mark the fifth anniversary of China's assumption of sovereignty.

Jiang, accompanied by Vice-Premier Qian Qichen, officiated Monday at the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, who was earlier this year given a second five-year term.

Also sworn in were 14 principal policy secretaries who were handpicked by Tung last week under a controversial new "ministerial system."

In his address to Tung team and about 300 dignitaries at the ultra-modern Convention Center, Jiang said the past five years had demonstrated that the "scientific concept of the one country two systems principle was entirely workable."

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Pointing to the economic difficulties facing Hong Kong, Jiang, 75, said the rapid economic growth of the mainland and its rising global status would provide Hong Kong with "favorable conditions" for economic development.

"The central government will continue to help Hong Kong in its economic recovery and development," Jiang said.

However, the president said Hong Kong people must rally behind Tung and continue the SAR's tradition of "being able to adapt and innovate."

Support for Tung

Perhaps referring to the SAR civil service's dissatisfaction over the ministerial system -- whereby senior civil servants are no longer guaranteed ministerial-level posts in the Tung administration -- Jiang called on the civil servants to "conscientiously submit to and support the leadership of the Chief Executive."

While talking to Tung earlier, Jiang, who was in Hong Kong for only 24 hours, said the central government was happy with Tung's performance as well as the implementation of the "one country, two systems" in the past five years.

"The central authorities will render its full support and help to Hong Kong to maintain its prosperity and stability," Jiang said.

Hong Kong's chief executive is nominated by an 800-member committee dominated by pro-Beijing figures

In his speech, Tung thanked Jiang and the central government for its "unfailing support" of the SAR in the past five years.

Tung said his major task in the second term would be to "lead Hong Kong out of economic downturn and restore Hong Kong's confidence in the future."

He said he would further implement economic restructuring and improve the business environment so as to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the mainland's open-door policy.

Particular attention would be given to fleshing out the "closer economic partnership arrangement" that had been agreed upon earlier this year between the SAR and the mainland.

Falun Gong turned away

Thousands of police and special agents from Beijing were on hand to maintain security at the Center and the nearby hotel where the Jiang entourage was staying.

To prevent mishaps, the Hong Kong immigration and police have turned away about 100 Falun Gong practitioners from countries and regions including the U.S., Japan and Taiwan.

The followers of the quasi-Buddhist group staged an overnight sit-in outside the Immigration Tower to protest what they called the SAR administration's harsh policy towards dissent.

On Monday, about 50 demonstrators, including members of April 5 Action Group and the Hong Kong Alliance in support of Democracy in China, were kept away in a "protest zone" a long way away from the Convention Center.

However, protestors scuffled with police on Saturday night as they tried to approach Government House, where Tung hosted a banquet for Jiang, his wife, and other senior officials.