Hong Kong gets its first female chief executive, Lam Cheng sworn-in
Lam took her oath before Chinese President Xi Jinping, who oversaw the swearing-in ceremony along with the rest of her cabinet. She is Hong Kong's first female leader
Hong Kong, July 1: Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor was sworn-in as the new Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Saturday as the territory marks 20 years since its handover to China from Britain.
Lam took her oath before Chinese President Xi Jinping, who oversaw the swearing-in ceremony along with the rest of her cabinet. She is Hong Kong's first female leader, reports Xinhua news agency.
"It is with a humble heart that I accept this greatest honour of my life and prepare to take on the greatest challenge in my public service career," Lam said in her inauguration speech.
Lam said she will "resolutely do everything" within her ability to implement the "one country, two systems" principle, uphold the Basic Law of the HKSAR and defend the rule of law.
"As
we
capitalise
on
our
strengths
and
harness
the
opportunities
presented
by
our
country's
development,
Hong
Kong's
future
is
indeed
bright
and
promising,"
Lam
added.
On
Friday
night,
clashes
broke
out
between
pro-democracy
and
pro-Beijing
demonstrators
close
to
the
site,
with
several
arrests
made,
reports
the
BBC.
Many parts of the city were shut down as part of the security operation.
The pro-democracy party, Demosisto, said police had arrested five of its members, and four members from the political party of the League of Social Democrats.
Among those arrested was Joshua Wong, the leader of the so-called umbrella protest movement.
IANS