President Hu Jintao to attend Macao’s fifth anniversary celebration

(Macao – 18 Dec 2004) General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People's Republic of China and Chairman of PRC Central Military Commission, Mr Hu Jintao, is to visit Macao to mark the Fifth Anniversary celebration of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region on Monday. Mr Hu will also attend the inauguration ceremony of the SAR Government's second term on the same day. The President the Central Government delegation are scheduled to arrive in Macao on 19 December and attend the Completion Ceremony of the Sai Van Bridge in the same afternoon. In the evening, Mr Hu will attend a welcoming banquet hosted by the Macao SAR Governemnt, following a short tour of the city. On Monday, the President will attend the celebration of the Fifth Anniversary of the Macao SAR and the Second Term MSAR Government Inaugural Ceremony in the morning, then meet with Macao community leaders. Mr Hu will meet with the Chief Executives of Macao SAR, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, and the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR, Mr Tung Chee-hwa, during his stay in Macao. In addition to the celebrations, the Macao Special Administrative Region Government will host a series of activities on the Sunday and Monday, including the Flag Raising Ceremony and a reception to celebrate the Fifth Aniversary of the Establishment of the Macao SAR. Other celebrations include a cultural performance organised by the Macao SAR Cultural Institute, and a fireworks display hosted by the Macao SAR Government Tourist Office. In addition, the Macao SAR Post Office and the Macao SAR Monetary Authority will celebrate the anniversary by jointly issuing a commemorative stamp and coin set. China Central Television (CCTV) and Teledifusão de Macau (TDM) will provide live broadcasts of the main events, including the arrival of the Central Government delegation, the Completion Ceremony of the Sai Van Bridge, Flag Raising Ceremony and the Celebration of the Fifth Anniversary of the Macao SAR and the Second Term MSAR Government Inaugural Ceremony. Live webcast of the events and other related information will also be available on the Macao SAR Government Website.