EXHIBIT 99(a)(5)(i)



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


     Contacts:

     Citigate Dewe Rogerson
     Patricia Baronowski/Susan Sweeney
     1 (212) 688-6840

                    ASIA PACIFIC FUND COMMENCES TENDER OFFER

(NEW YORK, NY May 30, 2002) - The Asia Pacific Fund, Inc. (NYSE, PCX: APB)
announced today that it has commenced a tender offer to purchase 25%, or
3,448,024 of the Fund's outstanding shares, which will terminate at 5 P.M., New
York City time, on June 28, 2002, or on such later date to which the offer is
extended. The offer price will be an amount equal to 95% of the net asset value
per share (representing a 5% discount), as determined by the Fund at the close
of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on the termination date.

On May 24, 2002, the Fund's net asset value per share was $12.04, and the
closing price on the New York Stock Exchange was $11.00, representing an 8.64%
discount from net asset value.

The Asia Pacific Fund is a diversified, closed-end U.S. registered management
investment company managed by Baring Asset Management (Asia) Limited. As of May
24, 2002, the Fund's total net assets were approximately $166 million.

This announcement is not an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to
sell shares.

THE OFFER TO PURCHASE AND RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL SHOULD BE READ BY
STOCKHOLDERS BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. STOCKHOLDERS MAY OBTAIN
FREE OF CHARGE THE OFFER TO PURCHASE AND LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL FROM THE WEB SITE
OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV). THE OFFER TO
PURCHASE AND LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL HAVE BEEN MAILED TO STOCKHOLDERS.

For general information, contact Citigate Dewe Rogerson 1-800-626-0993 or the
Fund at 1-888-4-ASIA-PAC.