(HUMAN INTERCHANGES BETWEEN JAPAN AND HONG KONG)
6 I believe that the further strengthening of relations between
Japan and Hong Kong will contribute to the strengthening of the position
of Hong Kong for its future. It is my strong intention to further promote
human interchanges between the two sides to that end. Since I arrived
here 6 months ago, at the political level, from Japan, Finance Minister
Hata, Former General-Secretary of the Liberal Democratic Party Ozawa,
Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Sakamoto, Former Chief Cabinet
Secretary Obuchi, Welfare Minister Yamasita, Former Prime Minister
Kaifu and others visited Hong Kong. In May the delegation of 15
members of Japan-Hong Kong Parliamentarian League headed by Finance
Minister Hata had discussions, for the first time in our bilateral
relations, with the members of the Legislative Council headed by
Mr.Allen Lee. Both sides agreed to have the next round of discussions
next year in Japan. From the Hong Kong side I wish very much that the
Covernor, Mr.Patten will make a visit at an early opportunity and make
personal relations especially with political and government leaders of
Japan.
At the business level, Japan and Hong Kong have Japan-Hong
Kong, Hong Kong-Japan businessmen committees on each side and joint
committees are to be held annually. We, on the Japanese side,have made
efforts to strengthen the membership. The number of members have
increased from around 20 at the beginning of this year to more than 90
now. This year the joint committee will be held in November in Tokyo. I
hope that fruitful discussions will be held.
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