XN000022-1996-06-15+16+17 — Page 2

-

1 -

C$ completes US visit with meetings in Washington DC

The Chief Secretary, Mrs Anson Chan, has completed a three-week tour to the United States, covering seven cities: San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, New York, Dallas, Los Angeles and Washington DC.

During her visit to New York, Dallas, and Los Angeles, Mrs Chan headed the delegation of business and government officials for the Hong Kong-USA '96 promotion.

On her final day in Washington DC, Mrs Chan met with the Secretary of State Warren Christopher. Also present was Mr Christopher's Deputy, Strobe Talbott, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Winston Lord and other State Department Asian Affairs and Pacific Rim specialists.

Earlier in the day at the White House, Mrs Chan had discussions with the National Security Advisor Anthony Lake and several of President Clinton's advisers on East Asian and Pacific Affairs and members of the National Security Council.

On Capitol Hill, she met Senator Trent Lott, the Mississippi Senator who this week replaced Bob Dole as the new Senate Majority Leader.

Mrs Chan gave a luncheon speech at a meeting of trustees and members of the Asia Society and also briefed the media.

Questioned about her views on China fulfilling its obligations laid out in the Joint Declaration, Mrs Chan said she believed the Chinese leaders realised that the way in which Hong Kong could prosper and assist China in its modernisation programme was for the territory to remain substantially as it was today.

"I'm not saying that there will not be changes," she said.

"But I think changes bring opportunities. And Hong Kong people have perhaps demonstrated that we're better able than most to adapt to changes and to make the most of changes and the opportunities that they bring."

Turning to the legislature, Mrs Chan said this was a key area of concern. She said the legislature that was elected last year was fully consistent with the Basic Law and the Joint Declaration.