Carrie Lam sworn in as new Hong Kong chief executive

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Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor was sworn in Saturday morning as the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

Lam took her oath before President Xi Jinping, who oversaw the swearing-in ceremony. The president shook hands with Lam after the oath taking.

Then, the principal officials of the fifth-term HKSAR government also took their oaths before Xi.

Members of the Executive Council of the HKSAR were sworn in by Lam.

Lam becomes the first female chief executive of HKSAR and will have a five-year term.

President Xi Jinping administered the oath of office at the ceremony, which was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center as part of celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China.

President Xi said the central government will unswervingly implement the policy of "one country, two systems" and make sure that it is fully applied in Hong Kong without being bent or distorted.

To uphold and implement the principle of "one country, two systems" meets the interests of the Hong Kong people, responds to the needs of maintaining Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, serves the fundamental interests of the nation, and meets the shared aspiration of all Chinese, he said.

The 60-year-old Lam has served in the Hong Kong government since 1980. Starting out as an administrative officer, she occupied over 20 different posts in a host of sectors, from health to finance and social welfare.

On March 26, Lam was elected as new chief executive of the HKSAR, receiving 777 votes from the 1,194-strong committee.

"When I received the appointment, I felt the heavy burden on my shoulders and we still have a long way to go," said the veteran politician.

"My expectation for Hong Kong's future is to offer its citizens a place where they can live with satisfaction," Lam told CGTN in a recent interview.

Source: Xinhua, CGTN, chinadaily.com.cn

Editor: Shorlin

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