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The Chief Executive will visit Canada and the United States early next month to reinforce the close economic and business ties between Hong Kong and our two major trading partners, a Government spokesman announced today (March 16).

He will be in Toronto and Ottawa from April 1 to 4, and in New York and Washington DC from April 5 to 7.

The Chief Executive's programme in Canada will include political calls, as well as meetings with Canada's financial and business sectors. He will also take the opportunity to visit a telecom company and see hi-tech developments in Canada.

Mr Tung will call on the Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy, Finance Minister Paul Martin, Toronto City Mayor Mel Lastman and the Canada-Hong Kong Parliamentary Friendship Group. He will be delivering keynote addresses at functions organised by the Canadian Club of Toronto, the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association and the Business Council on National Issues.

In the US, Mr Tung will meet Government and business leaders as well as key Senators and Congressmen. He will be addressing the Asia Society and the US Chamber of Commerce. The detailed programme is being arranged and will be made available later.

The spokesman said the Chief Executive would take the opportunity of the visit to update his interlocutors in Canada and the United States on the latest developments in Hong Kong.

"Mr Tung will brief them on Hong Kong's experience in overcoming the Asian financial turmoil and the recovery of our economy. He will emphasise Hong Kong's advantages as an international financial, business and service centre, our efforts in promoting information technology, as well as our growing attraction as a tourist destination. He will also highlight the business opportunities in Hong Kong, particularly in the light of China's imminent accession to the WTO, and the importance to Hong Kong of the US granting Permanent Normal Trade Relations status for China," he said.

Government officials accompanying the Chief Executive on

the visit will be the Secretary for Trade and Industry, Mr Chau Tak Hay; the Information Coordinator, Mr Stephen Lam; and the Private Secretary to the Chief Executive, Mr Richard Yuen. The Chief Executive will also be accompanied by Mrs Tung.

End/Thursday, March 16, 2000

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