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Mrs Chan has spent the past three days in Milan and Rome meeting with a range of senior business and political leaders and journalists to bring them up to date with the latest developments in Hong Kong on the economic front and to discuss the progress of transitional arrangements for the change of sovereignty in 1997.
The Chief Secretary said she was encouraged by the interest shown by the Italians in Hong Kong's future, both in the lead up to, and beyond, the handover.
"There is obviously a concern by the people I met of the need for a smooth transition and for Hong Kong's present lifestyle and way of doing business to continue to thrive after the reversion to Chinese sovereignty.
"A number of business people were particularly interested in the security of their investments and whether there would be any problems with joint ventures which may have been established prior to the change," she said.
Mrs Chan said it was quite understandable for these concerns to be raised, but she believed she had been able to reassure them that under the Joint Declaration and Basic Law, their investments would be safe.
This was certainly the position from Hong Kong's point of view and Chinese officials had also made similar reassuring remarks in the past.
Tonight, the Chief Secretary will begin her official visit to France as the guest of honour at a dinner in Paris hosted by the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs (responsible for Overseas Aid and Development), Mr Jacques Godfrain.
On Thursday, Mrs Chan will have meetings with several political leaders, including the President of the Senate, Mr Rene Monory, and the Minister for Economy and Finance, Mr Jean Arthuis.
During this latter meeting, Mrs Chan and Mr Arthuis will sign an investment promotion and protection agreement between Hong Kong and France.
End/Wednesday, November 29, 1995
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