XN000022-1993-03-13 — Page 3

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STI VISITS THE U.S.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 1993

THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H FOR WASHINGTON D C TOMORROW (SUNDAY) NIGHT.

CHAU, WILL LEAVE

DURING HIS VISIT, HE WILL MEET WITH THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE, AMBASSADOR MICKEY KANTOR, THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE, MR RON BROWN AND OTHER OFFICIALS OF THE

U.S. ADMINISTRATION RESPONSIBLE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE ISSUES.

"I SHALL EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH THOSE I MEET ON ISSUES OF MUTUAL CONCERN TO HONG KONG AND THE U.S.; FOR EXAMPLE, THE CURRENT STATE OF THE URUGUAY ROUND GATT NEGOTIATIONS," MR CHAU SAID.

OF

"THE IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG OF THE UNCONDITIONAL RENEWAL CHINA'S MOST-FAVOURED-NATION TARIFF STATUS IN THE U.S. WILL ALSO BE HIGH ON MY AGENDA, MR CHAU ADDED.

"

ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNMENT'S LATEST ASSESSMENT, CHINA'S LOSS OF MFN STATUS IN THE U.S. CAN COST HONG KONG THREE PERCENTAGE POINTS

IN GDP GROWTH AND 70,000 JOBS IN THE YEAR OF INCIDENCE.

CHINA'S MFN STATUS IN THE U.S. EXPIRES EVERY YEAR ON UNLESS RENEWED BY THE PRESIDENT. THE PRESIDENT IS REQUIRED TO CONGRESS OF HIS DECISION BY JUNE 3.

JULY 3

NOTIFY

0

THE

PLEDGE TO PROMOTE ORGAN DONATIONS

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GOVERNMENT WILL STRENGTHEN PUBLIC EDUCATION TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND DISPEL MISCONCEPTION OF ORGAN DONATIONS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID.

"WHILE OUR MEDICAL PROFESSION HAS LONG MASTERED THE TECHNICAL EXPERTISE FOR TRANSPLANT SURGERIES, ONLY 170 KIDNEY AND LIVER TRANSPLANTS HAD BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN THE PAST THREE YEARS," SHE POINTED OUT.

MRS WONG ATTRIBUTED THIS TO COMMUNITY RESISTANCE TOWARDS ORGAN DONATIONS, ADDING THAT SOME 900 PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WERE WAITING FOR THE GIFT OF LIFE FROM POTENTIAL DONORS EACH YEAR.

"MUCH IS BEING DONE TO BREAK THIS RESISTANCE, SHE TOLD PARTICIPANTS OF THE SEVENTH CONGRESS OF THE WESTERN PACIFIC ASSOCIATION OF CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE WHICH OPENS IN HONG KONG TODAY

(SATURDAY).

"SINCE LAST APRIL, WE HAVE LAUNCHED A TERRITORY-WIDE MULTI- MEDIA PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN THROUGH EXHIBITIONS, TELEVISION AND WIDENED DISTRIBUTION OF DONOR CARDS.

PROGRAMMES

"I HOPE