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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, has wrapped up a full day of political calls in the US capital Washington DC.
Discussions focused on the upcoming US Congress vote on Permanent Normal Trading Relations (PNTR) status for China, opportunities for US business arising from China's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Hong Kong's role as an international business hub and conduit for investment in the Mainland and the success of 'One Country, Two Systems'.
Mr Tung met with a wide cross-section of US political leaders including Senate Majority leader Trent Lott and House of Representatives Speaker Dennis Hastert.
Mr Tung held talks with members of Senate and House committees dealing with Asian affairs. These included Doug Bereuter, Chairman of the Asia and Pacific Sub-committee of the House International Relations Committee and Senator Craig Thomas, Chairman of the East Asian and Pacific Affairs Sub-committee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Discussions were also held with Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, Senator Mitch McConnell, Representative David Dreier and other Republican Congressmen and Leon Fuerth, National Security Affairs Assistant to Vice President Al Gore.
Mr Tung told the political leaders that granting PNTR and China's accession to the WTO would benefit the US, as well as China, Hong Kong and the entire global trading system.
"The main purpose of my visit is really to explain to Senators and Congressmen the importance of the PNTR legislation. It is of course very important to Hong Kong that this legislation is passed," he said.
"It is important to China. But it is very important to the United States of America too. I understand that the House of Representatives will be taking a vote during the week of May 22 and I certainly hope the House will come to the right decision."
Director-General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Washington, Mr Chris Jackson, said House Speaker Dennis Hastert had confirmed that the date had been set regardless of how the vote looks.
"But they are obviously pretty confident of a successful vote otherwise they would not have set it," said Mr Jackson.
"Trent Lott went on to say that with that commitment from the House his plan was to have something in the Senate early in June. He said the real challenge was in the House."
Hong Kong's Customs controls on strategic commodities were also raised during some of the meetings.
Mr Tung stressed that Hong Kong would strictly enforce its Customs control regime. "We have done that before we will continue to do that. Thank you very much," he said.
After his meeting with Mr Tung, Congressman Doug Bereuter said there was good Customs co-operation between Hong Kong and the United States, describing the Hong Kong Customs service as 'extraordinarily good and very professional'.
In regard to 'One Country, Two Systems', Mr Tung said those he met with today were encouraged that the promises of a high degree of autonomy and Hong Kong people running Hong Kong had worked out well so far in the 33 months since the SAR was formed.
Later today (April 7, Hong Kong time) Mr Tung will meet President Clinton in the Oval Office, as well as hold talks with Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, National Security Adviser Sandy Berger. The Chief Executive will also deliver a keynote speech to the influential US Chamber of Commerce and call on the US Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky.
Photo 1 : The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, meets US Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, in the US capital Washington DC.
Photo 2 : The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, meets with Senator Craig Thomas, chairman of the East Asian and Pacific Affairs Sub-committee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
End/Friday, April 7, 2000
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