XN000022-1996-05-16 — Page 2

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Governor's statement on attacked journalist

The Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, issued the following statement today (Thursday):

"I was shocked by the horrific attack on the journalist, Mr Leung Tin-wai, in his office yesterday.

"We have spoken to the Police Commissioner and I know that he is throwing in all of the resources necessary to track down the assailants.

"It is appalling to think that a journalist going about his business in a free society such as Hong Kong should be the victim of such as a brutal and senseless attack.

"I know that doctors and medical staff are doing everything they can to provide Mr Leung with the best of care.

"My thoughts and those of the community are with Mr Leung and his family."

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Possible trade sanctions against China announced

In response to the announcement of the US Trade Representative (USTR) yesterday (May 15) that the US would impose Special 301 trade sanctions against China for not implementing satisfactorily the bilateral intellectual property rights (IPR) agreement reached in February 1995, the Secretary for Trade and Industry, Miss Denise Yue, said she hoped the two sides would resolve their differences through dialogue.

"Since China and the US are our two largest trading partners, we are naturally concerned with any possible US Special 301 trade action against Chinese products. We would be very concerned with any adverse effect such measures might have on Hong Kong's economy," she said.