An exchange programme for Hong Kong and Beijing middle- and senior-ranking civil servants is set to start in 2004.

The agreement allows officers to be attached to the other government for three to six months.

Secretary for the Civil Service Joseph Wong signed the agreement with Beijing Municipal Bureau of Personnel Director Xin Tieliang today, the first day of Mr Wong's Beijing visit.

In the morning, Mr Wong called on HK & Macau Affairs Office Deputy Director Chen Zouer and Beijing Vice Mayor Zhai Hongxiang.

He also visited the China Foreign Affairs University and discussed future opportunities for co-operation with its vice president Heng Xiaojun.

Mr Wong will sign agreements with Tsing Hua and Peking Universities tomorrow, commissioning them to organise national study programmes for Hong Kong civil servants.

In the afternoon, he will visit the National School of Administration, where a contract will be signed for the school to run courses for Hong Kong civil servants.