Special report: 2008 Olympic Games

    HONG KONG, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping said here Monday he was confident that the Hong Kong will host warm, splendid and successful equestrian events during the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games.

    Xi made the remarks in his keynote speech at a welcoming dinner hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government at the Shangri-La Hotel, noting that the HKSAR government and Hong Kong compatriots have contributed significantly to the preparations of the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

    As one of the six co-host cities, Hong Kong is going to stage the equestrian events, an important part of the Beijing Olympics.

    Xi said the HKSAR government has led the preparatory work with great sense of commitment, and the Equestrian Committee (Hong Kong) and the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong have been working in close collaboration with all sectors of Hong Kong.

    As a result of their hard work, Xi said, two high-quality modern equestrian venues for the Olympic Games have been built in just about three years and events-related preparations and the introduction of municipal services plans are well underway.

    The whole country and the whole world are deeply impressed by Hong Kong people's enthusiasm, their level of participation and their passion for the Olympics, Xi said.

    Hundreds of thousands of people joined the crowd to cheer for the Beijing Olympic torch relay on May 2 in Hong Kong, making it an event of festivity and harmony.