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Following is the transcript (English portion) of a media session given by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, before leaving for Shenzhen today (November 14):

Chief Executive: I will be leaving here via the way to go to Shenzhen to participate in the 20th anniversary celebration of the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The SEZ was established 20 years ago when the reforms and open-up policy were pursued. From a small fishing village, Shenzhen developed rapidly into a very modern city. In fact, the whole of the Pearl Delta has developed very rapidly over the last 20 years and has in fact, accumulated a huge potential for further economic development. From that point of view, we in Hong Kong will be working very closely with Shenzhen and the Pearl Delta to create a win-win situation for all of us.

From Shenzhen, I will go straight to Chek Lap Kok Airport and proceeding on to Brunei to attend the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting. I will be there to participate in the meeting and I know we will have some very interesting discussions on subjects such as development of the new economy, next round of multilateral trade discussions, the price of oil and also the need to pursue the financial restructuring in order to ensure the continued economic growth of the Asian Pacific Region. I know the discussions will be very interesting indeed.

I will be returning to Hong Kong early Friday morning. Thank you very much.

Reporter: Hong Kong reporters not invited to cover the event in Shenzhen.....?

Chief Executive : The arrangement for the celebration is organised of course by the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone. I am not quite sure how this has been done. I am quite sure that it is not intended.

Reporter: About the election of the Chief Executive.....?

Chief Executive : Well, as I have said recently, and many times already, I will focus on the work I am doing and at the appropriate time, I will be making the decision and I will be making the announcement.

Reporter: About the resignation of the South China Morning Post editor....?

Chief Executive : Insofar as the South China Morning Post's controversy is concerned, it is really the decision of the newspaper itself. The Government is in no way involving in that.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)

End/Tuesday, November 14, 2000

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