XN000022-1994-10-05 — Page 40

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994

CHINA IS NOW THE BIGGEST INVESTOR IN HONG KONG, AND HONG KONG IS THE BIGGEST INVESTOR IN CHINA.

MR PATTEN SAID THE MAIN THREAT TO THIS VITAL RELATIONSHIP HAD BEEN EXTERNAL, THE THREAT OF SANCTIONS OR OTHER RESTRICTIONS BEING IMPOSED ON CHINA.

"I DO NOT NEED TO REMIND THIS COUNCIL THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON'S BRAVE DECISION EARLIER THIS YEAR TO SEPARATE RENEWAL OF CHINA'S MOST FAVOURED NATION TRADING STATUS FROM NON-TRADE ISSUES WAS OF VITAL IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG.

"ANYTHING WHICH DISRUPTS THE TRADING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OUR TWO LARGEST TRADING PARTNERS WOULD BE BAD NEWS FOR HONG KONG."

AS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE, HONG KONG BELIEVES THAT TRADE ISSUES SHOULD BE TACKLED STRICTLY ON THEIR OWN MERITS AND THAT THERE ARE OTHER, MORE EFFECTIVE AVENUES TO DISCUSS ISSUES SUCH AS HUMAN RIGHTS, THE GOVERNOR SAID.

"WE SHALL GO ON DEVELOPING OUR TRADING LINKS WITH CHINA IN THE REMAINING YEARS OF THE TRANSITION AND HONG KONG, TOGETHER WITH BRITAIN, WILL GO ON SUPPORTING CHINA'S RE-ENTRY TO THE GATT AND ITS RIGHT TO FOUNDER MEMBERSHIP IN THE GATT'S SUCCESSOR BODY, THE WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION.

"LET ME SAY AGAIN WHAT I HAVE SAID MANY TIMES BEFORE. AN INCREASINGLY PROSPEROUS AND SUCCESSFUL CHINA IS GOOD NEWS FOR HONG 11 НЕ KONG, GOOD NEWS FOR THE REGION, AND VERY GOOD NEWS FOR THE WORLD,' SAID.

DEVELOPING TIES WITH CHINA

THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHES THE HIGHEST IMPORTANCE TO THE TASK OF BUILDING UP THE RELATIONSHIPS OF ITS POLICY BRANCHES AND WITH THEIR CHINESE COUNTERPARTS, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON PATTEN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

DEPARTMENTS CHRISTOPHER

TIES

VIRTUALLY EVERY PART OF THE ADMINISTRATION HAS DEVELOPED WITH THEIR COLLEAGUES IN CHINA THE FUTURE SOVEREIGN POWER AT BOTH THE CENTRAL AND THE LOCAL LEVELS, HE SAID.

MR PATTEN SAID AT THE FORMAL LEVEL, THE CONTINUING CONTACTS BY NOW FAR TOO EXTENSIVE FOR HIM TO REPORT IN DETAIL TO THE

WERE COUNCIL.

OFFERING EXAMPLES OF THE MAIN CATEGORIES INTO WHICH THEY

HE SAID:

*

THERE

FELL.

I'S A WIDE RANGE OF CONTACTS BETWEEN POLICE, IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS OFFICIALS TO DEAL WITH CROSS-BORDER CRIME AND TO STRENGTHEN OUR SECURITY.

/* WE CO-OPERATE

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