*********************************************************

Vice-President Hu Jintao arrived this (Tuesday) morning to start his three-day visit to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

He is here at the invitation of the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, to officially open the Reunification Monument on July 1.

Leading a greeting party at Lok Ma Chau, Mr Tung extended a warm and hearty welcome to Vice-President Hu, whose official party included Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Liao Hui, and Deputy Director of the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Mr Chen Fujin.

Speaking to reporters on arrival, the Vice-President said he was delighted to be here to take part in the celebrations of the Second Anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region. He extended his best wishes to the people of Hong Kong.

Also greeting Vice-President Hu were the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Anson Chan; the Acting Financial Secretary, Mr Rafael Hui; the Secretary for Justice, Ms Elsie Leung.

In the afternoon, Vice-President Hu visited the Stock Exchange where he toured the trading hall and visited a few trading booths after receiving a briefing on its operations.

After the visit, he had a meeting with local delegates to the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and representatives from various sectors of the community.

Photo 1: Photograph shows Vice-President Hu and the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, waving hands to greeters.
Photo 2:Photograph shows Vice-President Hu putting on the trader vest numbered 8383 presented as a souvenir by the Stock Exchange.

End/Tuesday, June 29, 1999

NNNN