Chief Secretary Donald Tsang Yam-kuen will leave for Europe on Friday to promote the ministerial system and Hong Kong's role after China's accession to the World Trade Organisation.
He is expected to face challenges over the right of abode saga and the SAR's apparent moves to tighten freedom of demonstration during his nine-day trip to London, Brussels, Vienna, Milan and Rome.
Mr Tsang is also understood to have changed his itinerary to include a visit to the Economist Intelligence Unit to defend the SAR's record.
Last month the London-based think-tank named Singapore as Asia's best business environment, replacing Hong Kong, in its latest competitiveness report. Erosion of political autonomy was given as one reason why Hong Kong had slipped from fifth to 11th in the world rankings.
Mr Tsang said in response: 'Sometimes they wear the spectacles of ideal models in the Western world. Their assessment may not be that correct.'
Officials said questions from foreign media over the right of abode and the arrest of street protesters were expected.
