economic liberalisation has generated sustained wealth and opportunity, not just for the citizens of Hong Kong but for Australia and the rest of the region. The figures are very impressive. Hong Kong is our ninth-largest export market (A$ 3 billion in 1996), fourth-largest source of investment (A$ 13.3 billion at 30 June 1996) and fifth-largest destination for Australian investment overseas (A$ 6.6 billion at 30 June 1996). More than 350 Australian companies are represented there, and the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong is the largest Australian chamber overseas. Without doubt, as I have demonstrated, Australia has a great stake in Hong Kong, and its future is a matter of very great importance to Australia. That is why I was in Hong Kong last week for the handover. I see Australia's task as one of helping to ensure the transition process occurs in a way that will provide maximum stability and prosperity for Hong Kong. Given a smooth transition, there are good reasons to believe Hong Kong will continue to prosper, not least of which is the world-beating dynamism of the Hong Kong economy. Of course, the benefits of trade liberalisation extend across the region, not just North and South East Asia, but the Pacific as well. The South Pacific is an important market for Australian exporters of goods and services, with exports in goods alone reaching A$ 2.1 billion in 1995/96, an increase of over 14% in one year. Later this week in Cairns, I will be attending