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Following is the transcript of the media session by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, at the Hong Kong International Airport this (Monday) evening after returning from Beijing (English part):

Mr Tung: Thank you all very much for coming all this way to the Airport for this gathering. Before I left this afternoon, before I left Beijing I had the opportunity to meet with President Jiang. Yesterday I attended the opening session of the People's National Congress and had the opportunity to listen to the Premier's work report and yesterday afternoon I had the chance to meet with Vice-Premier Qian. During the meeting with the President, he and the Vice-Premier were, as always, very caring and anxious to know as to what is happening in Hong Kong, and, of course, they were delighted to see how well "One Country, Two Systems" is being implemented here and how well the economy is coming back. Yesterday I had the chance to listen to the Premier's work report. I must say it is a report with vision. It inspires all of us to work together to build our country. During the brief stay in Beijing, I was able to learn from the leaders and listen to the work report as to which direction the country is developing. I am confident that the sustained economic growth in the 21st century in China will bring substantial benefit to Hong Kong as well as, of course, to the country as a whole. Thank you very much.

Reporter: Mr Tung, yesterday, Premier Zhu Rongji expressed that corruption was a major topic being tackled on the mainland. Do you see Hong Kong has any kind of role in assisting with this, certainly with mainland originated corruption?

Mr Tung: I was very delighted and encouraged by the determination that shown by the Premier and indeed the whole Central Government in tackling the issue of corruption. And to the extent that Hong Kong can co-operate in this respect, of course, we will do all we can. On the other hand, I might like to mention to you that the Premier in his report also talked about the new economic direction where the emphasis should be put on farming, should be put on tertiary sector, i.e. the service sector and also the structural reform of the industrial sector as well as the opening up of the north-western side of the country, the western side of the country. This will give Hong Kong business new opportunities in the future. All these are very encouraging directions for all of us.

Photos:

Photo 1:The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, met the media at the Hong Kong International Airport when he returned from Beijing after attending the opening session of the National People's Congress. Picture shows Mr Tung answering questions from the press.

Photo 2: President Jiang Zemin meeting with Chief Executive Mr Tung Chee Hwa at Chong Nan Hai.

Chief Executive's transcript (Chinese part)

End/Monday, March 6, 2000

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