********************************************

Mr Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic will arrive in Hong Kong on October 12 (Tuesday) on an official one-day visit.

The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, will meet with the President and host a banquet in his honour at Government House.

The President will attend the Opening Ceremony of the Presentation of the Picasso's stage curtain "Parade", which marks the local opening of the Year of France in China, at International Finance Centre in Central.

The President will also meet with the French community.

Ends/Saturday, October 9, 2004

NNNN