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Following is a speech (English only) by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Anson Chan, at Millennium Hong Kong - The Dragon's Spirit Launching Ceremony in Mexico City on Monday (June 21, Mexico time):

Mr Arroyo, Mr Ordaz, GIL, Mr Gautier, Ambassador Shen, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

On behalf of the Hong Kong SAR Government and our tourism industry, I am delighted to welcome you here this morning to this Millennium Hong Kong presentation.

Today's event is one of the highlights of the Hong Kong SAR Government's first Hong Kong-Mexico Promotion, our inaugural campaign aimed at creating a stronger cross-Pacific trade and business relationship in the next century. Trade links between southern China and Mexico date back to the 16th Century - so we do have some foundations to build on.

We also look forward to strengthening links between our tourism industries. Through them, we can develop a closer friendship, bolstering economic forces that draw us together - from the World Trade Organization and APEC, to the Pacific Asia Travel Association and other travel trade organizations.

For many years, Hong Kong has been the most popular single travel destination in Asia. In 1998, almost 10 million visitors came to Hong Kong to enjoy its unique qualities as a major international city.

Since its return to Chinese sovereignty almost two years ago, Hong Kong has lost none of its former attractions. Now a self-ruling Special Administrative Region of China, it has gained an even clearer value as a destination, as the premier gateway to the rest of China, a country with multi-faceted heritage which provides many fascinating counterpoints to that of Mexico.

In addition to being the ideal starting point for China-bound visitors, Hong Kong is exceptionally well positioned as the transportation hub for Asia, being within five hours' flying time of half the world's population.

Although the travel time from Mexico City is considerably longer, we are determined to boost the number of Mexican visitors from its current annual level of around 7,000. This will come from increased business opportunities as well as more adventurous leisure travel. And I am sure Hong Kong will reciprocate as more Hong Kong people come to explore the opportunities in your exciting country.

What Mexico has in rich culture and heritage, Hong Kong can offer in a unique mix of East-West influences. From old walled villages and temples, to cutting-edge technology in a gleaming high-rise metropolis. The huge range of shopping and dining opportunities is matched by modern efficiency and world-class service.

And I am proud to say that our facilities for meetings, conventions and exhibitions are second to none - serving the needs of what has become the regional center for business, trade and finance. The SAR Government is committed to major investment in new infrastructure to meet the challenges and demands of the new millennium.

It is particularly auspicious for us that this new millennium starts with the Chinese Year of the Dragon - which so typifies the dynamism of how Hong Kong operates. So I very much hope that you will come visit the 'City of Life' very soon.

Thank you.

End/Monday, June 21, 1999

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