(Shenzhen, the PRC; October 12, 2000) Hutchison Global Crossing and China Telecom today announced the inauguration of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy) Ring to connect China Telecom's new infrastructure with Hutchison Global Crossing? quality fibre optic network in Hong Kong. The inauguration marks the first attempt of a new local fixed network provider in Hong Kong to team up with China Telecom for direct telecommunication exchange.

Hutchison Global Crossing and China Telecom agreed in June 2000 to use the new SDH ring for the connection. Network design, construction and equipment installation were completed within 3 months by the team of China Telecom and Hutchison Global Crossing. Network testing was carried out in mid September 2000, with all equipment and system performance meeting the requirements of international standards.

The integrated network will help boost the transmission capacity between the Mainland China and Hong Kong to meet the ever growing demand for quality telecommunication services. With the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong SDH Ring in use and the solid backing of Global Crossing, the world's largest international fibre cable provider and a shareholder of Hutchison Global Crossing, the Company will further strengthen its capacity and network of external telecommunication facilities.

The new 80km-long SDH Ring runs from Guangzhou to Futian, Shenzhen, where it is connected to the interconnection points at Man Kam To and Lok Ma Chau in Hong Kong. The Ring is then directly linked up with Hutchison Global Crossing? domestic fibre optic network through the Company's Diversity Interconnect Link, a technology that will significantly uplift network security and stability. With China Telecom's nation-wide fixed network as the backing, Hutchison Global Crossing will be able to provide even better telecommunication services to users in Hong Kong as well as the Mainland China, covering major cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan and Shanghai.

"The Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong SDH Ring is an integral part of our expansion plan to make Hong Kong a regional telecommunication hub," said Peter Yip, Chief Operating Officer of Hutchison Global Crossing. " The newly integrated fibre optic network brings higher scalability, capacity and stability, which will make an array of advanced telecommunication service such as international leased lines and IP based technologies possible to meet the telecommunication needs for tomorrow."

"The increased transmission capacity brought by the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong SDH Ring will meet the yearning needs for voice and broadband telecommunication services from users of the two regions," said Zhang Guo Zhen, Managing Director, Construction Department, China Telecom.

Hutchison Global Crossing and China Telecom signed a strategic agreement in December 1999 to link up their respective external telecommunications facilities. Earlier this year, the two companies began offering direct international direct dial (IDD) service between China and Hong Kong through the SEA-ME-WEE3 undersea fibre cable. The inauguration of the SDH Ring will form a cornerstone for both the companies to further develop their telecommunication businesses.

About Hutchison Global Crossing

• Hutchison Global Crossing is now operating a wide range of telecom services including local phone, international calling, Internet access, broadband services and the Electronic Service Delivery Scheme.

• Hutchison Global Crossing is a 50/50 joint venture between Hutchison Telecommunications (Hong Kong) Limited and Asia Global Crossing. It combines Hutchison Whampoa's fixed line and Internet networks in Hong Kong with Asia Global Crossing? international fiber optic broadband cable and its expanding portal facilities, Internet applications and data services, which help to explore strategic development opportunities in Hong Kong.

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