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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, said today (Monday) :

"I am extremely pleased that agreement has been reached between China and the United States on the Mainland's accession to the WTO.

"This bilateral agreement represents a most important step in China's WTO accession process.

"I very much hope that the other steps necessary for WTO accession can be completed at an early date. This will benefit world trade and all parties concerned. It will also provide Hong Kong with new business opportunities."

End/Monday, November 15, 1999

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