Following is the transcript of a media session by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, at the airport after returning from a duty visit to Beijing this evening:

Reporter: Can you say how important the office in Beijing will be and what exactly will be the role? How important will it be?

Mr Tung: Obviously, it is important. Otherwise, we won't be setting it up. But we are now going to very carefully plan it. It has very important role in co-ordination, in communication. And we'll plan it carefully during the first quarter of next year and with a timetable with a view to setting it up as soon as possible.

Reporter: You've said it before that the Central Government is very concerned about Hong Kong affairs. What are the affairs? Are they particularly worried about her economy? Could you say about the last two days, the downturn in the market? How do you feel about that? Do you think it's a worrying sign?

Mr Tung: The Central Government, having listened to my report of the activities of the last five-and-a-half months, have expressed a great deal of confidence in the Special Administrative Region's Government in performing all duties in all aspects, including the management of our financial affairs. Obviously, as I said in Chinese in Beijing that obviously we are now part of China and that because of that it is right to show concern, showing concern in the nicest way. But they feel relaxed that things are going well here, and are very supportive of everything we've done. I think that's not just the leadership. I think all across China, the enthusiasm of Hong Kong becoming a part of China is really quite astounding in the fact that everybody is very proud that Hong Kong is now part of China. Thank you very much.