XN000022-1996-08-07 — Page 2

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Acting Governor welcomes Japan Foreign Minister's visit

The acting Governor, Mrs Anson Chan, today (Wednesday) welcomed the visit of the Foreign Minister of Japan, Mr Yukihiko Ikeda, to Hong Kong from August 28 to 29.

Mrs Chan said the visit by the Foreign Minister would further strengthen the close ties which already exist between the two places.

Japan is Hong Kong's third largest trading partner. Total Hong Kong/Japan trade last year amounted to $303.2 billion. Japan is also the second largest external investor in the territory with realised direct investment amounting at end 1994 to $151 billion.

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There are now some 2,000 Japanese companies in Hong Kong which have a significant stake in most sectors of the local economy. Over 25,000 Japanese nationals live and work in the territory.

Mr Ikeda will call on the acting Governor on August 28. He is visiting Hong Kong on his way back to Japan from the Middle East.

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Changes in matrimonial proceedings recommended

The working group to review practices and procedures relating to matrimonial proceedings has recommended that all uncontested divorce cases shall fall under the special procedure list in the Family Court so that parties need not attend the court hearing dissolving the marriage.

This is one of the recommendations contained in the report by the working group which was appointed by the Chief Justice in November 1994 to review the practices and procedures relating to matrimonial proceedings and to make recommendations for changes where appropriate.

At present, only some of the uncontested divorce petitions fall into the special procedure list under which parties to the cases need not attend the court hearing in person.