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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, today (Friday) attended the opening ceremony of the Second Session of the Ninth National People's Congress in Beijing. Premier of the State Council, Mr Zhu Rongji, delivered the Report on the Work of the Government at the meeting.

Mr Tung said after the ceremony that he was pleased to note that the Central Government supported and endorsed the measures taken by the SAR Government to cope with the Asian financial crisis.

He said, "I am particularly encouraged by the Central Government's indication that it would continue to give support to the SAR Government in its administration of Hong Kong in accordance with the Basic Law and would work together with us to promote cooperation between Hong Kong and the Mainland in economic, trade, scientific and technological and cultural fields to help bring about an early recovery of Hong Kong's economy and maintain its long-term prosperity and stability.

"Since the Reunification, the Central Government has expressed full confidence in Hong Kong's future development and adhered closely to its determination not to interfere in the affairs which fall within the scope of the SAR's autonomies.

"We should now focus on strengthening our economic foundations to pave the way for resumption of economic growth further down the road."

End/Friday, March 5, 1999

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