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<title>CHAN TO REPRESENT CANADA AT MACAU HANDOVER CEREMONIES</title>
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<p><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">December 17, 1999 <em>(3:45 p.m. EST)</em> No. 278</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">CHAN TO REPRESENT CANADA AT MACAU </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">HANDOVER CEREMONIES</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial">Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan will represent Canada at the
ceremonies marking the handover of Macau from Portugal to China on December 19
and 20.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"Canada welcomes this historic event," said Mr. Chan. "As Macau now joins Hong Kong
as a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, I wish to reiterate our intention to
maintain close relations with its people."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Mr. Chan noted that Canada is confident that China will honour the "one country, two
systems" model for Macau. "A stable transition is key to ensuring continued economic
and social progress in Macau," he added.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Mr. Chan will attend a series of handover events with Chinese and Portuguese political
leaders, Macau Chief Executive Edmund Ho, and representatives from 30 other
countries.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Some 2000 Canadian citizens reside in Macau.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Naseem Nuraney</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1852</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font></p>
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