XN000022-1995-04-20 — Page 2

1-

Ensure freedoms under rule of law

To preserve the favourable economic environment in Hong Kong, the Government is fully committed to ensuring freedoms under the rule of law, the Chief Secretary, Mrs Anson Chan, said this (Thursday) evening.

Speaking at the General Committee Dinner of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, Mrs Chan said Hong Kong's strong economic fundamentals put the place in a good position to take advantage of the increasing business opportunities around.

"But we can only do so if we collectively, that is the Government and the business community, do all we can to preserve and strengthen those features that give us stability and growth.

"Above all, we need to ensure that the provisions in the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law that guarantee freedoms under the rule of law are fully and faithfully implemented."

Mrs Chan said the broadened and deepened regional and international dimension of the Hong Kong economy over the years had much to do with the territory's consistently liberal but prudent economic policies.

These include the practice of free trade, freedom of capital and information flows, fully convertible and stable currency, low tax regime, and generally conservative budgetary stance.

"Additionally, we maintain a firm commitment to the rule of law, highly efficient infrastructure, and extensive facilities for education and training.

"And we are keen to promote competition and deter restrictive practices in the economy.

"These, coupled with our entrepreneurship, a hard working and resilient labour force, and a highly efficient civil service, have been and should continue to be the key ingredients for our economic success in the future, whether before or after 1997," the Chief Secretary said.