CONFIDENTIAL

057235

MDHIAN 1287

16. THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF ECONOMIC OR FINANCIAL PANIC. THE EXCHANGE RATE AND INTER BANK RATES HAVE HELD WELL. (WE HAVE FAXED TO YOU SEPARATELY BACKGROUND BRIEFS ON THE ECONOMY AND THE FINANCIAL MARKETS). SO HAVE THE INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS OF THE STOCK MARKET AND FUTURES MARKET.

17.

COMMERCE WITH SOUTH CHINA, COMMUNICATIONS LINKS AND BUSINESS GENERALLY ARE ALL OPERATING NORMALLY. BUT TOURISM-RELATED BUSINESS IS DOWN.

18. CONFIDENCE IS AT ITS LOWEST EBB IN RECENT TIMES. EVEN ON THE MOST OPTIMISTIC SCENARIO OF EVENTS IN CHINA AND MOVES BY HMG ON RIGHT OQF ABODE, IT IS GOING TO TAKE A LONG TIME TO RECOVER.

WILSON

YYYY

MAIN

45

LIMITED

HKD

FED

DISTRIBUTION

45

PS/MRS CHALKER

PS/LORD GLENARTHUR

NEWS DEPT

PROTOCOL DEPT

PS

MR GILLMORE

MR MCLAREN

NNNN

PAGE

4

CONFIDENTIAL

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