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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, will attend the Seventh Economic Leaders Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to be held on September 12 and 13 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Economic Leaders will review progress of APEC's work over the past 10 years, including various initiatives in promoting trade and investment liberalisation and facilitation, and will also review developments in strengthening the global financial system.

Economic Leaders will also discuss other key global challenges, including APEC's support for the launching of a new round of broad-based multilateral trade negotiations in the World Trade Organization, and on Y2K contingency planning.

At the margins of the meeting, Mr Tung will arrange a number of bilateral meetings with other Economic Leaders to exchange views on issues of common concern.

Details of the programme schedule are being worked out and will be announced in due course.

The Hong Kong, China delegation will also include the Secretary for Trade and Industry, Mr Chau Tak Hay; the Director-General of Trade, Mr Joshua Law; the Deputy Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Mr Norman Chan; and the Government Economist, Mr K Y Tang.

The Chief Executive will also be accompanied by Mrs Betty Tung; the Information Co-ordinator, Mr Stephen Lam; and the Private Secretary, Mr Richard Yuen.

End/Thursday, August 19, 1999

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