Welcoming the Force party, Mr Zhou congratulated Mr Tang on his new appointment as CP.

Mr Tang said: "The main purpose of the meeting was to introduce new Deputy Commissioner (Operations) Yam Tat-wing and new Director of Crime and Security Lee Ka-chiu to the Ministry of Public Security. We also discussed security matters and recognised the importance of co-operation."

He also took the opportunity to introduce the latest developments of the Force and expressed a desire for closer exchange and co-operation.

Speaking of the Beijing Olympics, Mr Tang said it was a momentous national event and Hong Kong would host the equestrian event, for which both parties had worked out a framework for co-operaton and would maintain close liaison.