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

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.

They 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.

Official activities will include : on September 12, a summit breakfast for APEC Leaders, the Leaders' Dialogue with the APEC Business Advisory Council, and the dinner and cultural performance hosted by the Prime Minister of New Zealand ; and on September 13, the Leaders' retreat, luncheon and presentation of Declaration.

At the margins of the meeting, Mr Tung will have bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister of Australia and the Sultan of Brunei on September 11, and with the Prime Minister of Canada and the Prime Minister of Singapore on September 12.

They will exchange views on issues of common concern as well as our bilateral trade and economic relations.

Mr Tung will return to Hong Kong in the evening of September 14.

The Hong Kong, China delegation includes 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.

Mr Tung is also accompanied by Mrs Betty Tung; the Information Coordinator, Mr Stephen Lam; and the Private Secretary, Mr Richard Yuen.

End/Friday, September 10, 1999

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