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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, had a meeting with the President of Israel, Mr Ezer Weizman, at Government House tonight. Mr Weizman is visiting Hong Kong as part of his state visit to China.

Mr Tung updated Mr Weizman and his delegation on developments in Hong Kong since they last met during the Chief Executive's visit to Israel in February this year. These include plans to establish the Cyberport and to further develop information technology and innovation and technology in the SAR.

Mr Tung and Mr Weizman also exchanged views on issues of mutual concern and on IT cooperation. The Hong Kong Government and the Israeli Government are deliberating on a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in information and communications technology. In the academic sector, it was noted that five local tertiary institutions have academic collaborations with their counterparts in Israel, such as in research projects in the fields of biological and engineering sciences.

Also attending the meeting were the Chief Secretary for Administration, the Financial Secretary, the Secretary for Justice, the Secretary for Trade and Industry, and the Secretary for Information, Technology and Broadcasting. The meeting was followed by a banquet held in the honour of Mr Weizman.

End/Wednesday, April 28, 1999

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Photo: The Chief Executive, and senior government officials hold a bilateral meeting with President Ezer Weizman and his entourage before the banquet.