Tung to get European leaders up to speed
Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa will meet British Prime Minister Tony Blair and French President Jacques Chirac during a trip to Europe, starting on Saturday, to brief them on the latest political, social and economic developments in Hong Kong.
The trip will be Mr Tung's first official visit to Europe since October 2000, when he spent two days in London and met Mr Blair.
The chief executive is not a frequent traveller compared with other regional leaders, but the need for public relations has surged amid a series of domestic political and economic problems.
Democrat legislator Martin Lee Chu-ming, who Mr Tung has accused of 'bad-mouthing' Hong Kong during frequent visits overseas, said: 'It will be a good chance for Tung to take his turn and be questioned by foreign government heads on the reality of Hong Kong, although he believes that everything he does in Hong Kong is good.'
While in London, Mr Tung will meet local politicians, business leaders, Chinese residents and students, as well as attending tourism promotional events.
He will also make keynote speeches at functions hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office and HSBC in London.
Mr Tung plans to attend a concert at the Natural History Museum by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, which will fly to London especially for the event.
He will arrive in Paris next Wednesday before returning to Hong Kong two days later.
In addition to meeting Mr Chirac in Paris, Mr Tung will have discussions with Finance Minister Francis Mer and other senior members of the French government. Arrangements are being made for him to also meet members of the business sector.
He will be accompanied by his wife, Betty Tung Chiu Hung-ping.
