lunch with leaders of the business community, who told me more
about the excellent state of business confidence in Hong Kong and the development of commercial links with Southern China. This afternoon I have had meetings with the Chairmen of the District Boards and of the Urban and Regional Councils, with OMELCO and with members of the Executive Council.
I will be happy to answer your questions. But before I do, let me give you three impressions from my short stay here:
First: The integration of the economies of Hong Kong and Southern China is becoming a fact of life. Good news for Hong Kong and for China. Shows that cooperation working to the benefit of all. Hong Kong's free market approach is spreading
success more widely in the region.
Second: The need to translate the same spirit of no fuss cooperation which exists between Hong Kong and China in the business world into the discussions at the government level with China. I have found a strong wish among those I have talked to that there should be a good, constructive relationship [Gween Britain and China, through these final five years of the transition. That is certainly our
intention. The Prime Minister's visit to Peking last September, and the Airport MOU he signed with Premier Li Peng, have been the basis for the surge in confidence in Hong Kong since then. We are continuing discussions with the Chinese side to resolve the question of financing the new airport, which is so important for Hong Kong's future role at the centre of this region. Confident the shared interest of China, Hong Kong and Britain in the project going ahead will enable us to find a solution.
secst.hk.PR
SLM
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