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MONDAY, MAY 24, 1993
GOVERNOR PLEASED WITH PROGRESS OF TALKS
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THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID THIS (MONDAY) MORNING HE WAS PLEASED THAT THE THIRD ROUND OF TALKS ON THE 1994/95 ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS HAD GONE WELL AND THERE WOULD BE A FOURTH ROUND VERY SOON.
SPEAKING ΤΟ REPORTERS AFTER OPENING THE FACTORS CHAIN INTERNATIONAL ANNUAL MEETING, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS, I THINK, WHICH IS WHAT EVERYBODY WANTS TO SEE.
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"I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING A DISCUSSION WITH OUR TEAM WHEN THEY FLY HOME THIS AFTERNOON. HE ADDED.
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IT WAS ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT THE FOURTH ROUND OF TALKS WOULD TAKE PLACE ON MAY 28 AND 29.
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GOVERNOR UPHOLDS FREE TRADE SYSTEM
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT HE WOULD CONTINUE TO ARGUE THE CASE FOR FREE TRADE, FOR OPEN MARKETS, FOR GREATER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN COUNTRIES AND BETWEEN
COMMUNITIES.
HE MADE THIS COMMITMENT WHEN SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 25TH ANNUAL MEETING OF FACTORS CHAIN INTERNATIONAL.
MR PATTEN SAID TRADE BARRIERS PUT UP BY DEVELOPED COUNTRIES WOULD NOT ONLY INHIBIT ECONOMIC PROGRESS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD BUT ALSO UNDERMINE THEIR COMPETITIVENESS AND THEIR ECONOMIC PROSPECTS.
"FREE TRADE RATHER THAN PROTECTIONISM MUST BE A CRUSADE IN WHICH ALL OF US WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SOCIAL PROGRESS MUST BE A CRUSADE IN WHICH ALL OF US ARE INVOLVED, HE SAID.
FREE TRADE IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO THRIVE AND PROSPER, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
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INDEED SINCE HIS DEATH, ADAM SMITH'S REPUTATION HAS LIVED ON MORE POWERFULLY ON THIS ISLAND IN THE ORIENT THAN IT HAS IN HIS NATIVE SCOTLAND.
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ARE ENTHUSIASTIC AND IDEOLOGICAL FREE TRADERS,
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MR PATTEN
SAID.
HE BELIEVED THAT MAINTAINING FAIR AND OPEN MARKETS WAS THE BEST MEANS OF ENSURING INVESTORS' CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG BOTH AS A PLACE FOR INVESTMENT, AS WELL AS THE BASE FROM WHICH TO CONDUCT BUSINESS WITH CHINA AND THE REST OF THE REGION.
ALONG, THEY'RE EACH WHERE THERE IS
**FREE TRADE AND PROGRESS DON'T JUST GET OTHERS' GREATEST FRIENDS. FREE TRADE BRINGS LIGHT DARKNESS, AND BREATHES A REFRESHING WIND OF CHANGE,
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HE ADDED.
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