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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, has today (October 19) held bilateral talks in Shanghai with the Prime Ministers of Singapore and New Zealand ahead of the APEC Annual Economic Leaders Meetings starting tomorrow.

During the cordial and friendly meetings, Mr Tung explained Hong Kong's latest economic situation and measures being taken to ride out the current difficulties caused by the global economic slowdown.

Mr Tung was updated on the latest economic situations in Singapore and New Zealand.

The Chief Executive and Mr Goh discussed ways in which Hong Kong and Singapore were trying to boost competitiveness through economic restructuring and skills upgrading.

The two leaders also noted that Hong Kong and Singapore had close bilateral investment links which were of importance to both economies and should be further encouraged.

During his meeting with Prime Minister Helen Clark, Mr Tung discussed the progress of negotiations between Hong Kong and New Zealand on possible bilateral Closer Economic Partnership (CEP) Agreement.

Mr Tung noted that good progress had been made by trade officials during three rounds of negotiations.

He said that he was confident a high-standard agreement could be reached, over and above World Trade Organisation obligations, that would further strengthen an already close economic and trading partnership.

The Chief Executive briefed Prime Minister Clark on Hong Kong's education reforms. The Prime Minister expressed much interest in the subject, because New Zealand has considerable experience in training professionals and technical staff.

New Zealanders were already involved in training Hong Kong school children as Native English-speaking Teachers.

Also today, the Secretary for Commerce and Industry, Mr Chau Tak Hay, held bilateral talks with New Zealand's Minister for Trade Negotiations, Mr Jim Sutton.

Topics discussed included the ongoing negotiations between Hong Kong and New Zealand on the CEP Agreement, as well as the upcoming World Trade Organisation 4th Ministerial Conference scheduled for mid-November.

The Chief Executive starts his official APEC programme tomorrow with a leaders' briefing on the agenda and the annual leaders' dialogue with the APEC Business Advisory Council.

Tomorrow night, Mr Tung will join other economic leaders for the welcome dinner and cultural performance that will be capped off by a spectacular fireworks display lighting up Shanghai's famous waterfront, The Bund.

End/Friday, October 19, 2001

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• Photo 1: The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, holds bilateral talks with Singapore Prime Minister, Mr Goh Chok Tong, in Shanghai today.
  
  
• Photo 2: The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, holds bilateral talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark in Shanghai today.