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She again emphasised the importance of the Hong Kong-Japan partnership.
"We have a strong common interest in the maintenance of peace and security in this region. We both depend on open markets, free trade, free shipping lanes.
"We both believe in hard work, family loyalties, the rule of law, the rights and freedoms of the individual and the importance of clean business practices," Mrs Chan said.
In response to a question on the subject of freedom of expression in Hong Kong, Mrs Chan said she was aware of concerns that freedom of expression and freedom of the press might be curtailed after 1997.
However, she made it clear that the Hong Kong Government attached great importance to these "most treasured and most fundamental of freedoms".
She said they were based on the foundation of the rule of law, an independent judiciary and a credible legislature "all of which we have either in place or hope to strengthen between now and 1997".
Mrs Chan pointed out that the Government was engaged in an exercise to remove laws which would be inconsistent with Hong Kong's Bill of Rights and inconsistent with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which would continue to apply to Hong Kong after 1997 under the Joint Declaration and Basic Law.
This evening, Mrs Chan will open the Hong Kong film festival in Osaka which has attracted the attention of hundreds of movie fans with the presence of stars such as Leslie Cheung, Anita Yuen and Carina Lau.
Later tonight the Chief Secretary will speak at a gala dinner which will include a fashion show featuring the creations of some of Hong Kong's young innovative designers.
End/Wednesday, September 27, 1995
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