XN000022-1995-11-30 — Page 4

2

-

In the evening, the Chief Secretary had a wide-ranging discussion about the latest developments in Hong Kong with members of IFRI, the French Institute for International Relations.

Last night, Mrs Chan was guest of honour at a dinner hosted by the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Jacques Godfrain, who is responsible for Overseas Aid and Development.

During the dinner, she spoke of the close relations between Hong Kong and France and hoped that her visit would help strengthen these bilateral ties.

End/Thursday, November 30, 1995

HK continues to be an international financial centre

The Government is committed to maintaining Hong Kong as an international financial centre, the Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang, said this (Thursday) evening.

Mr Tsang was speaking at the pre-dinner seminar of the International Futures and Options Exchange Conference 1995 held in Hong Kong. The Conference was attended by leaders of some 28 exchanges from all over the world to promote among themselves a better understanding and cooperation.

"Hong Kong will continue to prosper and succeed and be the best place in which to do business both now, in the next 50 years, and beyond," Mr Tsang said.

"My confidence in the future is based on the fact that Hong Kong has established over the years the essential ingredients to be successful.

"As Financial Secretary, I will continue to fend for established policies of open markets, minimum government interference, stable currency, low taxes, prudent public finances and a level playing field, all of which have served Hong Kong so well in the past," he said.