5. The big projects in China attract the headlines, and I
am delighted that British firms have had some important
successes, such as GEC in the power generation sector. They are highly competitive in other sectors as well, and Richard Needham has been in China again recently pursuing these
opportunities.
But I hope your conference will also look at
the potential consumer market in China, as all this economic
activity puts money into people's pockets. Any manufacturer of a good consumer product, finding sales a bit slow in this
part of the globe, ought to be thinking about China.
6.
That means thinking about Hong Kong. That is where the expertise in the China market is to be found: in trading, in
joint ventures, in financial services. I am glad to see that British companies are now giving a higher priority to the
region. The trade figures show the trend: in the first 8 months of this year British exports to Hong Kong rose 31%. China, they rose an astonishing 90%, although from a lower
base.
То
7. Like the private sector, the British Government are
giving a higher priority to Asia. I announced during my visit to Tokyo a plan to deepen our involvement and our presence in the region. We are building a closer dialogue with Asian
Governments. We are seeking a still stronger commercial
presence. As part of that strategy, Britain has a long term commitment to Hong Kong. Not after 1997 as the sovereign
power. But with ties of business, ties of friendship, ties of blood which go deep. That is why we are spending £25 million
on a new British Consulate General. It will be one of our
largest Diplomatic Posts anywhere, with a clear mandate to
support British business after 1997.
8.
So, if you want to be in Asia, you need to be in Hong
Kong.
pm.speech.ADMIN
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