FINANCIAL Secretary Hamish Macleod last night admitted Hongkong risked losing its role as a major financial centre if China interferes in the territory's affairs after 1997. While stressing the economy of Hongkong would be still good in five to 10 years' time, Mr Macleod described the rating done by the Moody's Investors Services as a ''fair comment''. The report rated Hongkong at A3, a notch below Malaysia and Thailand, and two notches behind South Korea. It predicted China might end Hongkong's role as a worldwide financial centre by meddling in the territory's affairs after 1997. ''They merely said that it was possible China might from time to time seek to intervene in Hongkong in some specific ways and that might affect its role as a financial centre. Actually that is a fair comment - there must be a downside risk,'' he said. ''The fact is that although we have some issues with China, like the Western Harbour Crossing, we have not had any which affected our role as a financial centre, so I am actually feeling quite confident that our role will keep growing.''
