U.S. and Hong Kong (1985-1997)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

COMMERCE NEWS

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20230

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, October 6, 1997

CONTACT:
Mary F. Hanley, Hong Kong
852-2845-6121
Maria T. Cardona, Washington
202-482-4883

PRESS STATEMENT OF U.S. SECRETARY OF COMMERCE WILLIAM M. DALEY

Before taking questions I would like to first tell you that my visit to Hong Kong has been fruitful. It has provided me with a first hand view that after 100 days as a Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong remains a free and open society. It is of the utmost importance for our bilateral relationship that Hong Kong continues to be Hong Kong. It must remain a free and open society with a stable economy. In meetings today with Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa, Chief Secretary for Administration Anson Chan, and Secretary of Trade and Industry Denise Yue I related to them what the U.S. business community has told me -- that they continue to be optimistic about Hong Kong's commercial future.

Earlier today I reached an understanding with Secretary Yue to cooperate closely on trade in strategic commodities which supports our policy of giving Hong Kong broad access to U.S. goods and technology. We will meet regularly to share information and cooperate on enforcement. Hong Kong will continue to comply with internationally accepted export controls.

I also raised concerns about intellectual property rights protection. Hong Kong has increased efforts to combat piracy but continued retail sales of pirated goods continue. From my discussions with Hong Kong officials, I believe the Hong Kong government recognizes the gravity of the problem and it is beginning to take steps to address the situation. I underscored the need for prompt and effective action against both the production and retailing of pirated software and CDS.

In a few hours I will travel to Beijing to open the 11th session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade which is a forum for cooperation on trade issues. I look forward to working with Minister Wu Yi. While there, I will reaffirm the important role a free and open Hong Kong plays in the global market as well as promote the development of U.S.- China trade -- in a more balanced manner. The U.S. has a strong interest in expanding trade with China, in its continued economic development and in the liberalization and opening of its economy.

The JCCT will focus on building the practical steps to strengthen commercial relations between our two nations. The agenda includes commercial law, trade finance, standards, market access, a variety of sector specific issues, and export controls.

I will also travel to Dalian, China, for the first China-U.S. Telecommunications Summit where 20 U.S. companies will participate, along with U.S. and Chinese government officials, in discussions on the future of the Chinese telecommunications market. U.S. companies are the most advanced in the world in this field and we expect that they will play a large role in this dynamic market.

Thank you. I will be happy to take your questions.

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