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In parallel with the joint efforts at the operational level, senior Hong Kong officials have, on many occasions, conveyed to various senior officials in the US Administration Hong Kong's concern about the additional measures and their adverse impact on our trade, and requested their immediate removal. We believe that the joint visit programme and the associated dialogue have increased the understanding on both sides. We hope this would be conducive to bringing about a bilateral solution. If this proves unattainable, we will seek an escalation of the matter to the World Trade Organisation for dispute settlement.

Hong Kong takes its obligations under the multilateral Agreement on Textiles and Clothing to prevent illegal transhipment of textile products seriously. We have put in place sophisticated licensing and enforcement systems to fulfil such obligations. An outline is given at Annex B. Our systems are kept under constant review and improvements are introduced whenever necessary.

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Figures on CSSA applications

Following is a question by the Hon Law Cheung-kwok and a written reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

(c)

of the number of successful new applications for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) each month since January 1995 in which the main reason for applying was unemployment of family members;

of the number of families in the above cases which subsequently ceased to receive CSSA payment upon the unemployed family members finding employment; and

of the number of applications for CSSA made on the grounds of unemployment of family members which were rejected during the same period, and the reasons for rejection?