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Each of the seven coins will bear the standard Bauhinia design on the obverse side. On the reverse side, each coin will have its own special commemorative design and denomination.

The set is intended for general circulation and will be available during the first half of 1997. Sets of the seven coins in mint condition with special package will also be available for public sale.

The Government is also planning to issue a limited quantity of $1,000 gold coins next year to commemorate the establishment of the Hong Kong SAR in 1997. Design of this gold coin is in progress.

Both the coin sets and the gold coins will be issued by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority on behalf of the Government.

After covering the cost of issue, profits generated from the sale of the limited coin sets and the gold coins will be held in a suspense account and will be used to fund selected projects for the benefit of the local community.

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Hong Kong to participate in APEC ministerial meeting

The Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, will represent Hong Kong at the Asian Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting on Sustainable Development to be held in Manila tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday (July 12).

The Deputy Secretary/Environment in the Planning, Environment and Lands Branch, Mr Tony Cooper, is attending the pre-meeting on sustainable development in Manila of senior officials which took place yesterday and today, and will accompany Mr Leung at the ministerial meeting.

The meeting will provide a forum for ministers of the Asian-Pacific region to discuss sustainable city and urban management, clean technology, clean production and sustainability in marine environment.

Ministers are expected to provide their economy's experience and priorities, with recommendation on opportunities for co-operation and views on how these themes may be incorporated into the Sustainable Development and Ministerial Declaration Action Programme.

Mr Leung said today (Wednesday) that there was increasing international awareness in sustainable development.