Chief Secretary Henry Tang will depart for Shanghai on March 19 to inspect the progress of Hong Kong's preparatory work for World Expo 2010.

He will be accompanied by Permanent Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Joshua Law, Permanent Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Duncan Pescod, Director of Information Services Michael Wong, and other officials.

Mr Tang will return to Hong Kong that evening. During his absence, Secretary for Education Michael Suen will be Acting Chief Secretary.