Vice-President Xi Jinping is expected to visit Hong Kong from July 6 to 8, his first visit since becoming the overseer of Hong Kong affairs in November.
Asked yesterday during his visit to Qatar whether he would visit Hong Kong soon, Mr Xu said: 'I will go [to Hong Kong], but we usually decide such matters on the spur of the moment. We have a great interest in Hong Kong, and I will go there when there is a need.'
A source close to the central government said Mr Xi was likely to arrive in Hong Kong on July 6 for a three-day trip. He will meet Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen and inspect facilities for the Olympic equestrian events.
The source said Mr Xi, who is responsible for the preparations for the Beijing Olympics, was expected to officiate at an Olympics-related ceremony in Hong Kong.
It will be Mr Xi's first visit to Hong Kong since he officially succeeded Zeng Qinghong as Beijing's top official overseeing Hong Kong affairs.