XN000022-1996-09-27 — Page 6

"The Prime Minister assured me that his government will do everything possible to facilitate travel of Hong Kong people in and out of Australia and I believe that the government has under consideration certain arrangements that will make the visa application and obtaining the necessary visa even easier.

"So we look forward very much to discussion on those arrangements coming to fruition, so that these arrangements could be announced."

During her visit in Australia, she had met with the premiers of Victoria and New South Wales, with other senior officials, politicians, business people, academics and the media.

"One of the main purposes of this visit is to open our Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Sydney, which will be Hong Kong permanent presence in Australia after 1997," she said.

"As you know, in accordance with the Basic Law, we will have a high degree of autonomy in conducting our own economic and commercial affairs and we hope that with the existence of this office will help to strengthen and promote ties between Australia and Hong Kong. These ties are already very strong, not only in terms of trade, but also in terms of the human ties," Mrs Chan said.

Her programme in Melbourne today was a mixture of political calls, meetings with businessmen, media appearance and a tour to a food festival.

Earlier in the day, she paid a courtesy call on Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Councillor Ivan Deveson at the Melbourne Town Hall.

She also had a meeting with the Business Council of Australia and Committee for Economic Development of Australia which gave her an excellent opportunity to exchange views with members on a wide range of issues of mutual interest.

Later at a luncheon meeting, Mrs Chan and the Hong Kong delegates enjoyed a good discussion with members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.

There was also a lighter side of Hong Kong that Mrs Chan brought with her to Hong Kong's friends in Australia. The Hong Kong Food Festival organised by the Hong Kong Tourist Association was a good example.

The food festival, held between today and October 4, will bring food lovers in Melbourne an opportunity to sample some of the delicious award winning dishes in previous food festivals in Hong Kong.