XN000022-1992-12-30 — Page 4

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1992

HE NOTED THAT THERE WERE A NUMBER OF FAVOURABLE FACTORS, INCLUDING THE SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION OF U.S.-CHINA NEGOTIATIONS OVER SECTION 301 OF THE U.S.

TRADE ACT, CHINA'S TRADE LIBERALISATION MEASURES IN ITS MOVE TO GAIN GATT MEMBERSHIP, SIGNS OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY IN THE UNITED STATES, CHINA'S CONTINUED ECONOMIC REFORMS AND STRONG ECONOMIC LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA, AND THE DYNAMIC GROWTH IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION.

MEANWHILE, CONTINUED INCREASE IN DOMESTIC DEMAND WAS ALSO EXPECTED IN VIEW OF SUSTAINED PULL EMPLOYMENT AND STEADY INCREASE IN INCOME, CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT AMIDST PROSPECTS FOR GROWTH AND GENERALLY TIGHT LABOUR MARKET AND THE INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN BAND, MR MACLEOD ADDED.

ON THE MOST FAVOURED NATION (MPN) ISSUE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID UNTIL RELEVANT U.S. LAW WAS CHANGED, IT WOULD REMAIN SOMETHING OF AN ANNUAL BATTLE FOR HONG KONG.

"WE ARE REVIEWING OUR LOBBYING RESOURCES TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE BEST EQUIPPED FOR THE NEW U.S. POLITICAL LANDSCAPE.

"WE REMAIN FIRMLY OF THE VIEW THAT MEN 18 THE WRONG TOOL FOR OTHER POLICY OBJECTIVES AND SHOULD NOT BE POLITICISED, HE SAID.

SECRETARY RECOUNTS SECURITY MATTERS

THREE MAJOR SECURITY-RELATED MATTERS THAT FEATURED PROMINENTLY

IN 1992 WERE VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS, LAW AND ORDER, AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

ASPREY, SAID

MR ASPREY SAID 1992 SAW A TURNING POINT ON THE VIETNAMESE MIGRANT ISSUE WITH A DRASTIC DROP IN NEW ARRIVALS AND A RECORD NUMBER OF RETURNEES,

"THE

POPULATION VIETNAMESE

_

NOW STANDING AT 42,500 NON- REFUGEES AND 2,500 REFUGEES IS THE LOWEST SINCE MID-1989, MR ASPREY TOLD AN END-OF-YEAR NEWS CONFERENCE.

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HE NOTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN VIRTUALLY NO NEW ARRIVALS IN 1992.

OF REPATRIATION HAS BEEN GOING WELL, WITH AN AVERAGE VOLUNTARY

OVER 1,000 A MONTH LEAVING HONG KONG OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS.

IN ADDITION, ABOUT 3,400 REFUGEES HAD LEFT LIONG KONG FOR RESETTLEMENT.

THE SUSTAINED DEPARTURES AND THE GREATLY REDUCED ARRIVALS HAD ENABLED THE GOVERNMENT TO CLOSE SOME DETENTION CENTRES.

/THE ARGYLE