PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL<br/> <br />Chinese President Hu Jintao inspected troops of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) stationed in Hong Kong at the Shek Hong air base on Friday (June 29).<br/> <br />Hu is in Hong Kong to attend celebrations that mark the 15th anniversary of the former British colony's return to China on July 1.<br/> <br />He will also oversee the swearing-in of Hong Kong's new leader.<br/> <br />China had been hoping for a smooth transition of power from outgoing Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang to his Beijing-backed successor, Leung Chun-ying, but a series of scandals that has infuriated the public, and undermined the government's reputation as clean and honest, makes that unlikely.<br/> <br />China's leaders have sought to pacify Hong Kong's sometimes restive citizens with economic sweeteners.<br/> <br />Hu will hand out gifts during his visit including new offshore yuan currency initiatives and plans to integrate the reach of Hong Kong's financial and offshore yuan services into Qianhai, a new development zone in southern China.
