As Olympic Games approach, Hong Kong is making last-minute preparations for the Olympic equestrian events it will co-host in August, said Hong Kong's top official.

"We aim at co-hosting high-level and unique Olympic equestrian events," said Donald Tsang, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

"And I warmly welcome all friends home and abroad to enjoy the events in Hong Kong," he said.

Tsang said he was confident that the equestrian events will be a success as Hong Kong has experience of successfully hosting major international events. The city has professional and highly- efficient work teams.

And the equestrian events will be handled in a prudent and careful manner, he said.

"I am confident that the Equestrian Events in Hong Kong will help to ensure a truly memorable Summer Olympic Games," he said.

Over the past years, much had been done in preparing for the equestrian events with the strong support of the central government, he said.

To ensure the success of the events, the HKSAR government established the Equestrian Committee to coordinate intergovernmental work in such areas as security, transport, medical and quarantine services.

The committee set up its executive arm in the form of a company, the Equestrian Company, to organize the equestrian events.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club has spent more than 1.2 billion HK dollars on the design, construction and maintenance of two competition venues in Hong Kong.

All work in the Sha Tin main venue, which has a capacity of 18, 000 spectators, had been completed, while preparation work for the Beas River cross-country venue, which can also house 18,000 spectators, is entering the final stage, he said.

The Olympic and Paralympic Village of Hong Kong will be opened on July 26, and on the same day, the first batch of equestrian horses and athletes are scheduled to arrive in Hong Kong, said the chief executive.

On the issue of security, Tsang said that Hong Kong will, in accordance with the Olympic Charter, ensure the equestrian events be free from the influence of political, religious and racial propaganda.

He said that the police will be responsible for the overall security in Hong Kong while directing and supervising the Equestrian Company in their security work inside the equestrian venues.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong police will keep close communication and exchanges of information with the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee and overseas law enforcement agencies, he said.

Hong Kong has a set of internationally-recognized quarantine procedures for the import and export of horses, and it also has leading medical service and professional personnel support for horses, he said.

On food security, Tsang said that Hong Kong has mapped out a food security strategy and will strictly supervise food suppliers in line with the target of "zero food poisoning accidents" set by the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee.

Hong Kong is sending out 35 athletes to the Beijing Olympic Games to participate in 11 sports including horsemanship, cycling, table-tennis, windsurfing, swimming, track and field, fencing, badminton, shooting, rowing and triathlon.

The Olympic and Paralympic equestrian events are scheduled to kick off from August 9, and expected to bring together athletes and horses from 42 countries.

"I encourage everyone to join us in celebrating the spirit of the Olympics and to help make the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games the best ever," said Tsang.

(Xinhua News Agency July 24, 2008)