Hong Kong  - Chinese vice president Xi Jinping arrived in Hong Kong Sunday for a three-day visit to inspect the city's venues for the equestrian events in the 2008 Olympics.

Xi, 55, one of the rising stars of China's ruling elite, told reporters on his arrival he also wanted to see the changes in Hong Kong since it reverted to Chinese rule 11 years ago.

Xi arrived Sunday morning at the land crossing between Hong Kong and mainland China and was greeted by the city's chief executive Donald Tsang, financial secretary Henry Tang and other officials.

The vice president told reporters he would wanted to see the progress of preparations for the 2008 Olympic equestrian events which will staged in Hong Kong.

He also thanked Hong Kong people for their support for the victims of the Sichuan earthquake in March. The Hong Kong government plans to give 1.28 billion US dollars towards long-term relief.

Xi, seen as a potential future leader of China, is in charge of the the preparations for the Beijing Olympics in August. He became vice president in March. (dpa)