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One of Hong Kong's principal roles had been to serve the needs of the Chinese economy in its transactions with the outside world. That important role would continue well beyond the transition.
"Our hope is that as China's commercial and financial ties with the global economy expand, so Hong Kong's business opportunities will increase. But we cannot take success for granted.
"Hong Kong is very well aware that we will have to continue to earn our way in the world, continue to justify the levels of profit we enjoy and the wages we pay ourselves," she said.
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Mrs Chan said as Chief Secretary she was determined that Hong Kong would maintain its status as the region's premier business location the principal gateway not just to China but to developing East Asia as a whole.
During a question and answer session after her speech, Mrs Chan assured the 120 business and political leaders that the Hong Kong dollar link with the United States dollar would be maintained despite the present weakness in the American currency.
She said exchange rate stability was extremely important, particularly in the run-up to 1997, so the government had to take the long-term view.
Mrs Chan noted that if the present trend in the weakness of the US dollar continued, Hong Kong might see more imported inflation. On the other hand, however, Hong Kong's exports would be much more competitive.
The Chief Secretary stressed that it was not simply the Hong Kong Government or the Monetary Authority that had said the link with the US dollar would remain, it was also the view of the Chinese authorities.
In addition to her meeting with the Dutch Prime Minister, Mrs Chan also had discussions with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Hans Van Mierlo; the Director-General for Foreign Trade, Dr Franciscus Engering; and a luncheon meeting with some of the Netherlands top business people.
End/Wednesday, April 26, 1995