New Vice-President Xi Jinping knows Hong Kong well and the central government's policy towards Hong Kong will remain unchanged, Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen said yesterday.
Concluding his three-day visit to Beijing, during which he met top state leaders, Mr Tsang said that Mr Xi, who has overseen Hong Kong affairs since late last year and was elected vice-president on Saturday, had a good understanding of the special administrative region.
'I saw Mr Xi was very clear on the latest social, political and economic events in Hong Kong. He also has a lot of friends there. He showed his warmth and concern for Hong Kong. I had quite a good impression,' the chief executive said. 'We all know the national policy on Hong Kong will not change. I believe Mr Xi's succeeding Mr Zeng Qinghong will not bring about any particular change and I only feel the central government's support and concern for Hong Kong as always.'
The chief executive was in the capital to attend the closing of the National People's Congress annual plenary session. During the trip he also met President Hu Jintao, then Minister of Culture Sun Jiazheng , People's Bank of China governor Zhou Xiaochuan and China Securities Regulatory Commission chairman Shang Fulin .
In his meeting with Mr Sun, now a vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Mr Tsang suggested that a collection of national treasures be exhibited in Hong Kong to celebrate the Olympic equestrian events.
'As the Olympics is approaching, I was thinking whether we could work on the theme, particularly on equestrian events. Mr Sun responded positively. The shipping of national treasures needs very careful arrangements,' Mr Tsang said.