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Rally around Tung: Jiang

Hong Kong July 1. The Chinese President, Jiang Zemin, today urged Hong Kong residents to rally round its Beijing-backed leader and his new cabinet in their efforts to reboot the economy.

Mr. Jiang officiated at a swearing in for Tung Chee-hwa, 64, for a second five-year term along with a new cabinet answerable to himself, while scores of protestors were kept at bay by tight security.

The ceremony was held on the fifth anniversary of the former British colony's return to Beijing's sovereignty.

Mr. Tung pledged to fix the territory's economic woes as the territory battled to avoid slipping into its second recession in four years.

"The biggest challenge facing the second term government is to lead Hong Kong out of the economic downturn and to restore the confidence of Hong Kong people in the future," said Mr. Tung shortly after taking oath.

Mr. Jiang stressed that for the territory to prosper, "full support must be given to the chief executive and his government." The Chinese leader also oversaw the oath-taking of a new cabinet of appointed Ministers and other officials who will be accountable to Mr. Tung.

Meanwhile, hundreds of police and security officers were deployed around the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in waterfront Wanchai to keep protest groups at bay. Police officers stopped some pro-democracy protestors, calling for democracy in China, from making their way to the venue, pointing out that a black cardboard coffin they were carrying could be a security risk given the dreary weather conditions.

— AFP

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