Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa yesterday promised to bring new hope, new thinking and a new style of governance to Hong Kong after being sworn in for a second five-year term. Mr Tung said the biggest challenge facing his team was to lead the SAR out of the economic downturn and restore confidence. After presiding over the swearing-in of Mr Tung, President Jiang Zemin said he hoped the Tung administration would improve its performance. Mr Jiang, making his fourth visit to Hong Kong since the handover, also called on people to work with the government to overcome economic and social problems. He returned to Beijing in the afternoon. The two speeches were the highlights of otherwise low-key celebrations marking the SAR's fifth anniversary and the start of the new ministerial system of government. Presided over by Mr Tung, the new team of principal officials and a new Executive Council were sworn in during a 90-minute ceremony held under tight security at the Convention and Exhibition Centre. Outside, police cordoned off streets and barred activists from human rights groups and Falun Gong followers from disrupting the ceremony, attended by about 2,000 community leaders. Two protesters who attempted to break through a police cordon and almost got into the venue were foiled by security guards who locked the doors and dozens of police who arrived to keep them out. Reflecting on the successes and deficiencies of his first five years in office, Mr Tung pledged to do his best to improve governance, restructure the economy and create more jobs. But he warned that economic and unemployment problems would not be solved by 'one or two measures', or within one or two years. 'It is going to be a long and arduous process,' he said. 'We need not be pessimistic . . We will need to apply new thinking, adopt a new style of governance, and bring new hope to our people.' Mr Tung said Hong Kong was facing unprecedented difficulties. 'To all of you, this is a huge challenge. Likewise to me, this is a momentous challenge. In the process of coping with these difficulties, you and I have strengthened our bond. We also share a common destiny. All these will eventually strengthen our solidarity, as well as the relationship between the government and the people.' He added: 'People are growing tired of unceasing disputes. The community longs for stability and tranquility.' Mr Tung said the SAR had survived difficulties in the past because of 'the force of the Hong Kong spirit'. 'If we look closely, every day we find in Hong Kong many such stories. Each of them demonstrates that the Hong Kong spirit is alive and well.' President Jiang, pledging Beijing's continued support and help for the Hong Kong economy, gave a vote of confidence in its long-term vitality. 'Hong Kong is forever a shining pearl of our motherland,' he said. In the face of the rapid advance of globalisation and China's economic development, he said: 'The next five to 10 years are crucial for Hong Kong's economic and social development.' Mr Jiang also said he hoped the executive-led structure would be strengthened further. The executive, legislative and judicial bodies should 'do a better job in ensuring the overall interests' of society. Civil servants at all ranks, especially ranking officials, should 'conscientiously submit to and support the leadership of the chief executive, work with one heart and strive to achieve fresh successes', he said. Mr Jiang called on people to 'close ranks under the banner of loving the country and loving Hong Kong' to support the SAR government in tackling major economic and social issues. He urged people in Hong Kong not to lose sight of the SAR's advantages while acknowledging its economic difficulties and challenges. These included its open and free economy, legal system, sound business environment, links with world markets, high-quality civil service and large pool of entrepreneurs and professionals. The President said China's rapidly growing economy and rising international status would provide favourable conditions for Hong Kong's development. 'I am confident that as long as our Hong Kong compatriots carry forward their fine traditions of courage, industry and enterprise, Hong Kong's economy will retain its famed dynamism and be always blessed with a bright future.'
