Hong Kong, Tokyo, Aug 1, 2001 - The Hutchison Whampoa Group today announced that it has named NEC Corporation as a preferred supplier of Third Generation (3G) wireless devices. Under the arrangement, NEC will begin delivery of its 3G wireless devices in the third quarter of 2002 to Hutchison's 3G operations based in Italy, Australia, Austria, Sweden and the United Kingdom. This is NEC's first and largest agreement for 3G devices outside of Japan. Hutchison has earlier announced an agreement with Motorola also for the provision of 3G devices.

The value of the contract was not disclosed.

The NEC models covered under this agreement are all dual mode (2G:GSM/GPRS and 3G:UMTS/W-CDMA), offering transition between 2, 2.5 and 3G systems, providing consumers with assured coverage regardless of location. The devices will also include the most up-to-date mobile data applications, including JAVA functions and multimedia services.

Canning Fok, Group Managing Director of Hutchison Whampoa said, "NEC has a proven track record in mobile internet and multimedia devices, having worked extensively with our strategic partner NTT DoCoMo. Since May this year, they have supplied 3G devices for DoCoMo's FOMA services and with this agreement, Hutchison is all set to launch 3G services in our markets offering customers a choice of devices."

"NEC is now focusing its businesses on Broadband Mobile Internet, and third-generation mobile is the key business where NEC is putting its major resources and efforts." said Ben Nakamura, Associate Senior Vice President and Executive General Manager of NEC's Mobile Terminal Business Unit. "NEC is confident of leading the 3G and mobile Internet field in supplying devices with the most sophisticated features and of the highest quality and reliability. This agreement with Hutchison gives us a strong foothold to take our position forward."

NEC has been actively promoting the development of W-CDMA technology and has always been at the forefront in the R&D and standardization activities in this field. NEC has also been actively involved in W-CDMA technical trials and field trials all over the world with leading carriers. It has already delivered 3G devices and infrastructure systems for commercial services.

For more information, please contact:

Notes to Editors

Hutchison Whampoa

Hutchison Whampoa is a Hong Kong-based multinational conglomerate with a market capitalization of about US$40 billion. With origins dating back to the 1800s, Hutchison is also part of the Li Ka-shing group of companies, which together represent about 15% of the total market capitalization of the Hong Kong stock market. In 2000, consolidated turnover (including associates) was over US$10billion, and consolidated net profit was approximately US$4.4 billion.

With close to 100,000 employees worldwide, Hutchison operates five core businesses in 34 countries: ports and related services; telecommunications and e-commerce; property and hotels; retail and manufacturing; and energy and infrastructure.

For more information, visit http://www.hutchison-whampoa.com

NEC Corporation

NEC Corporation (NASDAQ: NIPNY) (FTSE: 6701q.l) is a leading provider of Internet solutions, dedicated to meeting the specialized needs of its customers in the key computer, network and electron device fields through its three market-focused in-house companies: NEC Solutions, NEC Networks and NEC Electron Devices. NEC Corporation, with its in-house companies, employs more than 150,000 people worldwide and saw net sales of 5,409 billion Yen (approx. US$43 billion) in fiscal year 2000-2001.

NEC, together with Siemens A.G., has already been appointed as a supplier of the 3G infrastructure system for Hutchison 3G UK and H3G Italy. This device agreement shows NEC's total solution capabilities in the 3G field.

For further information, please visit the NEC home page at:
http://www.nec.com

Internet site for NEC's 3G http://www.nec.co.jp/3g-mobile/