TNAG-2606-FCO40-3797-International-support-from-Japan-regarding-the-future-of-Hon-1992 — Page 49

(HUMAN INTERCHANGES BETWEEN JAPAN AND HONG KONG)

6 I believe that the further strengthening of relations between

Japan and Hong Kong will contribute to the strengthening of the position

of Hong Kong for its future. It is my strong intention to further promote

human interchanges between the two sides to that end. Since I arrived

here 6 months ago, at the political level, from Japan, Finance Minister

Hata, Former General-Secretary of the Liberal Democratic Party Ozawa,

Former Chief Cabinet Secretary Sakamoto, Former Chief Cabinet

Secretary Obuchi, Welfare Minister Yamasita, Former Prime Minister

Kaifu and others visited Hong Kong. In May the delegation of 15

members of Japan-Hong Kong Parliamentarian League headed by Finance

Minister Hata had discussions, for the first time in our bilateral

relations, with the members of the Legislative Council headed by

Mr.Allen Lee. Both sides agreed to have the next round of discussions

next year in Japan. From the Hong Kong side I wish very much that the

Covernor, Mr.Patten will make a visit at an early opportunity and make

personal relations especially with political and government leaders of

Japan.

At the business level, Japan and Hong Kong have Japan-Hong

Kong, Hong Kong-Japan businessmen committees on each side and joint

committees are to be held annually. We, on the Japanese side,have made

efforts to strengthen the membership. The number of members have

increased from around 20 at the beginning of this year to more than 90

now. This year the joint committee will be held in November in Tokyo. I

hope that fruitful discussions will be held.

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