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The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Donald Tsang, will leave Hong Kong on Saturday (November 17) night for a visit to the United Kingdom and Europe.
Mr Tsang will visit London, Paris, Brussels and Luxembourg from November 17 to 24.
Mr Tsang will meet a wide cross-section of business and political leaders.
The main focus of his trip is to provide an update on Hong Kong's latest economic development, highlight the successful implementation of "One Country, two Systems" and explain the opportunities in Hong Kong following China's entry into the World Trade Organisation.
In London, Mr Tsang will meet senior political leaders and the Governor of Bank of England, call on the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons and hold discussion with Hong Kong Committee of the All Party Parliamentary China Group.
He will deliver keynote speeches at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council's Annual Dinner and the Hong Kong Association.
In Paris, the Chief Secretary will be received at the Office of Mr Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic. He will also meet the President of the National Assembly, Mr Raymond Forni, hold discussions with the National Assembly Foreign Affairs Commission and the Board of Directors of the French Institute of International Relations.
In Brussels, he will meet with the Vice President of the European Commission, Mr Neil Kinnock, and the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister, Mrs Laurette Onkelinx. He will also address the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy, and attend functions hosted by the European Parliament-Hong Kong Friendship Group and the Executive Club Belgium.
Mr Tsang's visit to Luxembourg, a major global banking centre, will include meetings with the Prime Minister, Mr Jean-Claude Juncker, and the President of the Luxembourg Parliament, Mr Jean Spautz. He will also visit the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and deliver a keynote speech at a business reception.
Ends/Thursday, November 15, 2001
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