HONG KONG: The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government will remain committed to people-based governance, Chief Executive Donald Tsang said yesterday.

Addressing the swearing-in ceremony of the SAR's third-term government, Tsang said he wanted to build a "professional, experienced and energetic administration".

"I solemnly pledge to do my utmost to get my job done in the best interests of Hong Kong and the country as I (had) promised during my election campaign," he said.

The ceremony opened at 9 am with the Hong Kong police band playing the national anthem. Tsang was the first to step on the podium to take the oath of office, administered by President Hu Jintao.

The government's principal officials and Executive Council members followed.

Tsang said his administration aims to build a more open government in the next five years. "The public will not only be the focus of our policies, but also our partners in devising them."

The government will develop a system that is more democratic and will work with the Hong Kong people to identify the most acceptable mode of universal suffrage that best serves the interests of the SAR, he said.

The SAR administration will promote a new mode of economic development, strengthening the financial sector and increasing investment in infrastructure to push up wages and create more jobs for grass-roots workers, he added.

Vowing to improve the quality of life of Hong Kong residents, he said his government will promote a new "caring culture" to help the less advantaged groups.

Tsang, 62, took over as chief executive of the SAR in June 2005 after Tung Chee-hwa resigned because of poor health mid-way through his second term.

He won a landslide election in March this year to become the chief executive. His five-year term ends on June 30, 2012.

(China Daily 07/02/2007 page1)