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At the invitation of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, will attend the opening ceremony of the third session of the Ninth National People's Congress in Beijing on March 5, a Government spokesman said today (Thursday).

"Mr Tung will depart for Beijing on March 4 and return to Hong Kong on March 6. We are finalising the Chief Executive's programme in Beijing and an announcement will be made in due course," the spokesman said.

Accompanying Mr Tung on the visit will be the Information Coordinator, Mr Stephen Lam; the Private Secretary to the Chief Executive, Mr Richard Yuen; and Special Assistant to the Chief Executive, Mr Chan Kin-ping. The Chief Executive will also be accompanied by Mrs Tung.

End/Thursday, February 24, 2000

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