Hong Kongers celebrated the anniversary of the territory's 1997 return to Chinese rule, watching People's Liberation Army parachutists perform stunt jumps and making plans to attend a huge fireworks display this evening.

President Hu described the 10th return anniversary as a "happy event for Hong Kong and the whole country as well," China's Xinhua news agency said. Meanwhile the South China Morning Post declared on Sunday that "one country, two systems" had been a success.

During the three-day visit, President Hu met with Donald Tsang, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chief Executive, and Tung Chee-hwa, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

On Saturday evening, Mr Hu attended a grand show with a distinct Chinese theme. Later, the Chinese official was present at a Buddhist bell-chiming ceremony along with chanting monks to mark the countdown to midnight, the moment Britain had handed back Hong Kong after 156 years as a colony, and to bestow peace and prosperity on the territory.