Press Release
The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government, Mr. Tung Chee Hwa, will visit Canada between April 1 and 5 to reinforce close economic and business ties and to meet with government leaders, journalists, and community leaders.

During the visit, Mr. Tung will update Canadians on the latest developments in Hong Kong including recovery from the Asian financial turmoil.

He will emphasise Hong Kong's advantages as an international financial, business and service centre, efforts in promoting information technology, as well as the territory's growing attraction as a tourist destination.

Mr. Tung will also highlight the business opportunities in Hong Kong, particularly in the light of China's imminent accession to the WTO, and as the pre-eminent gateway to the Mainland of China.
In the afternoon on April 2, Mr. Tung will meet with Canadian-Chinese community leaders at a reception hosted by the Toronto Chinese Business Association.

On April 3 (Monday), Mr. Tung will fly to Ottawa from Toronto to meet with the Prime Minister, Mr. Jean Chretien; Finance Minister, Mr. Paul Martin; Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Lloyd Axworthy, and members of the Canada-Hong Kong Parliamentary Friendship Group. Mr. Axworthy will host a lunch for Mr. Tung. Later in the evening, Mr. Chretien will host a dinner for Mr. Tung at his residence.

In the afternoon, Mr. Tung and his entourage will visit the Nortel Networks to see for himself the state-of-the-art developments in telecommunications.

On April 4 (Tuesday), Mr. Tung will deliver a keynote address at a luncheon in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The luncheon will be hosted by the Canadian Club, Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (Toronto), Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office.

During his busy afternoon schedule, Mr. Tung will take the opportunity to attend a briefing on measures adopted by Canada on solid waste collection and recycling and to reduce pollution. Mr. Tung will then pay a courtesy call on the Mayor of Toronto Mel Lastman. In the evening, Mr. Tung will attend a reception hosted by Transportation Minister, Mr. David Collenette, and the Secretary of State for Asia Pacific, Mr. Raymond Chan, after which he will then attend a dinner hosted by the Business Council on National Issues.

Separately, Mrs. Tung will visit Red Cross facilities, Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care, and the Greater Toronto Chinese Cultural Centre to familiarise herself with the provision of services for the elderly, and the promotion of Chinese culture.

Mr. Tung will also be accompanied in his North America visit by the Secretary for Trade and Industry, Mr. Chau Tak Hay; the Information Coordinator, Mr. Stephen Lam; and the Private Secretary to the Chief Executive, Mr. Richard Yuen.

The Chief Executive and his entourage will fly to New York on April 5 for a three-day visit to the U.S.

You are invited to send a reporter/photographer to cover Mr. Tung's engagements and Mrs. Tung's visit to the three centres. Details of media coverage arrangements will be released at a later date.

For further information please contact Chief Information Officer, Mr. Frank Chuan.