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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, visited the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone (SEZ) today (Monday) to personally thank Shenzhen municipal officials and Huangtian Airport authorities for their efforts in support of the air cargo trade in Hong Kong.

Mr Tung also made use of the trip to learn more about latest developments in the SEZ.

On arrival in Shenzhen, the Chief Executive was received by Mr Zhang Gaoli, Guangdong Provincial Committee Deputy Secretary and Secretary of the CPC, Shenzhen City Committee; and Mr Li Decheng, Executive Vice Mayor of Shenzhen.

At Huangtian Airport, Mr Tung said, "Since early last month, the Central People's Government, the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government have put in place contingency arrangements at Shenzhen's Huangtian Airport as support for the air cargo trade in Hong Kong.

"It is my greatest pleasure to come to Shenzhen and personally thank you for your prompt cooperation and assistance," he said.

Mr Tung toured the cargo handling area and was briefed by the airport's President, Mr Lu Shenghai, on the airport's operation.

Before calling on the airport, Mr Tung visited two companies in the Shenzhen High Tech Industrial Park and was briefed on industrial and technological developments in the SEZ. One company specialises in the production of communications equipment and the other produces computers.

In the afternoon, Mr Tung met municipal officials and exchanged views with them on matters concerning Hong Kong and Shenzhen. These included promoting technological cooperation and improving the boundary crossing facilities between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

The meeting was held at the Shenzhen Kylin Villa.

On his visit Mr Tung was accompanied by his Private Secretary, Mr Joshua Law; the Acting Press Secretary, Mrs Ella Tam; his Special Assistant, Mr Chan Kin-ping; and a Principal Assistant Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, Ms Wendy Cheung.

End/Monday, August 31, 1998

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Photo: The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, pictured with Mr Zhang Gaoli, Guangdong Provincial Committee Deputy Secretary and Secretary of the CPC, Shenzhen City Committee, before a meeting this (Monday) afternoon between Hong Kong and Shenzhen municipal officials to exchange views on matters concerning Hong Kong and Shenzhen.