The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government
will remain committed to people-based governance, Chief Executive
Donald Tsang said yesterday.
Addressing the swearing-in ceremony of the SAR's third-term
government, Tsang said he wanted to build a "professional,
experienced and energetic administration".
"I solemnly pledge to do my utmost to get my job done in the
best interests of Hong Kong and the country as I (had) promised
during my election campaign," he said.
The ceremony opened at 9 am with the Hong Kong police band
playing the national anthem. Tsang was the first to step on the
podium to take the oath of office, administered by President Hu
Jintao.
The government's principal officials and Executive Council
members followed.
Tsang said his administration aims to build a more open
government in the next five years. "The public will not only be the
focus of our policies, but also our partners in devising them."
The government will develop a system that is more democratic and
will work with the Hong Kong people to identify the most acceptable
mode of universal suffrage that best serves the interests of the
SAR, he said.
The SAR administration will promote a new mode of economic
development, strengthening the financial sector and increasing
investment in infrastructure to push up wages and create more jobs
for grass-roots workers, he added.
Vowing to improve the quality of life of Hong Kong residents, he
said his government will promote a new "caring culture" to help the
less advantaged groups.
Tsang, 62, took over as chief executive of the SAR in June 2005
after Tung Chee-hwa resigned because of poor health mid-way through
his second term.
He won a landslide election in March this year to become the
chief executive. His five-year term ends on June 30, 2012.
(China Daily July 2, 2007)