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The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, will leave for Sydney, Australia, next Wednesday (September 5) to attend the 15th Economic Leaders' Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) to be held on September 8 and 9.
The theme of this year's APEC meeting is "Strengthening our Community, Building a Sustainable Future".
The economic leaders will deliberate on a wide range of regional economic issues, including the role of APEC in bringing a timely and successful conclusion of the World Trade Organization Doha Development Agenda negotiations, ways and means to promote greater regional economic integration and the reform of APEC.
They will also discuss issues fundamental to the growth and sustainable development in member economies, such as measures to cope with the harmful effects of climate change, as well as co-operation in energy security, clean development and human security.
Mr Tsang will attend the APEC Business Summit on September 6, at which President Hu Jintao will deliver a keynote speech. The Chief Executive will join the Dialogue with the APEC Business Advisory Council on September 8.
The Hong Kong, China delegation will include the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Frederick Ma, and the Director-General of Trade and Industry, Mr Joseph Lai.
After the APEC meeting, Mr Tsang will leave for Wellington, New Zealand on September 9. During his three-day visit to New Zealand, Mr Tsang will update the countryˇ¦s senior Government officials, business leaders, think tanks and the media on Hong Kongˇ¦s latest developments.
On September 10, Mr Tsang will meet the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mrs Helen Clark, and other senior Government officials. He will also visit the National Museum (Te Papa) in Wellington and attend a luncheon hosted by the Asia New Zealand Foundation.
On September 11, Mr Tsang will leave for Auckland, where he will attend a publicity event organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board to promote the Olympics equestrian events to be held in Hong Kong in 2008. He will also meet local business leaders, and give a keynote address at the Gala Dinner hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Sydney).
Mr Tsang will return to Hong Kong on September 12. During his absence, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, will be Acting Chief Executive.
Ends/Monday, August 27, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:25
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