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Premier Wen Jiabao and Chief Executive Mr Tung Chee Hwa witnessed the co-signing of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) this afternoon (June 29).
The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Commerce, Mr An Min, representing the Central People's Government; and the Financial Secretary, Mr Antony Leung, representing the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, signed the CEPA at a ceremony held at Government House.
The conclusion of the arrangement will greatly enhance economic co-operation and integration between the Mainland and Hong Kong. It will also mean preferential access for Hong Kong products and services on the Mainland.
After the signing ceremony, Premier Wen, who is in Hong Kong for a three-day visit, gave a speech to a gathering of over 260 guests in the ballroom.
End/Sunday, June 29, 2003
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