Forging closer trading and economic links are on the agenda for the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, during his first official visit to the European Union (EU).

Mr Tung arrived last night in the Belgian capital Brussels - home of the EU headquarters - for a series of top-level meetings with the EU's political and business leaders.

Mr Tung will also explain how Hong Kong has continued to run smoothly since the Handover on July 1 and is fully committed to free and open trade, the rule of law and the enforcement of international treaties on strategic commodities, intellectual property rights and human rights.

He will also promote the HKSAR Passport and call for international efforts to resolve the Vietnamese refugee problem.

On the political side, Mr Tung will meet European Commission (EC) President Mr Jacques Santer, the EC Vice President Mr Leon Brittan, members of the European Parliament and Belgian Prime Minister Mr Jean-Luc Dehaene.

In a move to further consolidate trade ties between Hong Kong and the EU, Mr Tung will inaugurate the HK/EU and EU/HK Business Co-operation Committees and give the keynote address at the first Trade Development Council (TDC) Annual Dinner in Europe.

The establishment of the bilateral co-operation committees has been spearheaded by the TDC to develop even closer links between European and Hong Kong manufacturing and service industry leaders.

On Tuesday, Mr Tung will make his first official visit to the United Kingdom, which will include meetings with British Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Mr Robin Cook, and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Margaret Beckett.

Topics to be covered during the two-day London visit will include the latest developments in Hong Kong since the Handover and HK-UK business ties.

Mr Tung will address a lunch hosted by the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, deliver keynote speeches to the influential Royal Institute of International Affairs and at the TDC Annual Dinner in London and attend a breakfast briefing with the Hong Kong Association.

Mr Tung returns to Hong Kong on Friday.