XN000022-1985-11-29 — Page 5

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1985

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+HONG KONG MUST MOVE WITH THE TIMES, SIR JOHN SAID.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ADDED THAT FREE AND FAIR COMPETITION, WHICH HAD BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR HONG KONG'S ECONOMIC SUCCESS IN THE PAST AND WOULD CONTINUE TO BE SO, WAS OUR TRADITION.

+PROTECTIONISM IS NO PART OF OUR PHILOSOPHY THOUGH OF COURSE THERE MUST BE SYMPATHY FOR THOSE WHOM SUCCESS ELUDES,+ HE CONCLUDED.

SECOND JLG MEETING HELD ****

THE FOLLOWING IS THE PRESS COMMUNIQUE ISSUED TODAY AFTER THE SECOND JOINT LIAISON GROUP MEETING IN BEIJING:

THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP HELD ITS SECOND MEETING IN BEIJING FROM NOVEMBER 26 TO 29, 1985.

THE ATMOSPHERE WAS FRIENDLY AND CO-OPERATIVE.

THE GROUP REVIEWED WITH SATISFACTION THE RESULTS ACHIEVED SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT, INCLUDING THE AGREEMENT ON ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTINUED PARTICIPATION OF HONG KONG AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION IN THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK AFTER 1997.

THE GROUP MADE FURTHER PROGRESS IN ITS CONSULTATIONS ON HOW TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED PARTICIPATION OF HONG KONG AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION IN THE GATT AND MULTIFIBRE ARRANGEMENTS, AND ON THE CONTINUED APPLICATION OF INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS AFFECTING HONG KONG. THE GROUP WILL CONTINUE ITS WORK IN THESE AREAS.

THE GROUP DISCUSSED IN DETAIL TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION FOR HONG KONG RESIDENTS AND OTHER RELATED ISSUES AND MADE USEFUL PROGRESS.

THE TWO SIDES DISCUSSED RECENT CHANGES IN THE POLITICAL SYSTEM IN HONG KONG.

THE GROUP DECIDED THAT THE NEXT MEETING WOULD TAKE PLACE IN HONG KONG FROM MARCH 11 TO 14, 1986.

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