CHIEF Executive Tung Chee-hwa yesterday pledged to live

up to the promises he had made as Premier Zhu Rongji officially

ratified his second term as SAR leader.

Zhu signed a State Council order confirming Tung's appointment at an

official council meeting in Beijing.

Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office's director Liao Hui had previously

formally reported the result of Hong Kong's one-nomination election to

Zhu.

Zhu responded by saying that Tung had made great efforts to maintain

Hong Kong as a trading and transport hub since the Asian financial

crisis.

Tung, a Beijing appointee, thanked the Central Government for the

trust it had placed in him and pledged to work with Hong Kong people

to tackle "unprecedented challenges".

"In the coming five years, I will work with the people . . . I will

turn the promises I have made for Hong Kong into action," he said.

During a two-day visit to Beijing, Tung will meet Macau Chief

Executive Edmund Ho, who arrived in the capital yesterday afternoon.

Tung will also meet State Administration of Tourism director He

Guangwei, trade minister Shi Guangsheng and Beijing party chief Jia

Qingling.

Tung retained his post unopposed on Thursday with 714 nominations from

the 800-member election committee. He is expected to brief top leaders

on his proposed ministerial system to boost accountability of policy

secretaries.

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