XN000022-1996-07-01 — Page 2

1.

Meeting between Governor and Mr Cheng An-kuo denied

In response to a report about a "secret meeting" having been held between the Governor and Mr Cheng An-kuo, the Governor's spokesman said the report was complete rubbish.

"The Governor has never had a meeting or a conversation with Mr Cheng," the spokesman said.

End

1997 opens opportunities to British business sector: CS

The Chief Secretary, Mrs Anson Chan, called on the British business community to help maintain the unique formula for Hong Kong's economic success and to respond positively to new opportunities that Hong Kong can provide after 1997.

Speaking to the Hong Kong Association in London today (Monday), Mrs Chan said Britain had a special relationship with Hong Kong that no other enjoyed.

"It has both a legal and moral responsibility towards Hong Kong that will last beyond 1997," she said.

"But it also has massive economic interests in Hong Kong's continuing prosperity,"

Mrs Chan noted that British investments in Hong Kong were estimated at over 70 billion pounds sterling with more than 1,000 British companies operating in the territory.

"It leads the field among foreign investors in Hong Kong with 28 per cent of overall total investment," she said.

Mrs Chan believed that British businessmen looked at Hong Kong in the next century and find a great deal that was positive.

"1997 opens the door to a longer relationship, one which certainly continues to embrace Hong Kong but which also addresses the much wider opportunities in China and in the rest of East Asia region," she said.