``I will endeavour to dispel any misunderstanding or doubts in the minds of our overseas investors and other interlocutors about our recent counter-activities in the stock and futures markets,'' Tsang said in the statement.

He said that the main reason for the government intervention was defending the local currency's peg to the US dollar. The Hong Kong dollar is linked to the American currency at a rate of HK$7.8 to US$1.0.

``I will reinforce, yet again, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's determination to maintain the linked exchange rate under our currency board system,'' he said.

Tsang said he would raise the question of transparency and disclosure of interests in market activities. He would also gather first-hand knowledge on the Euro-dollar and itsimplications for Hong Kong, he said.

Tsang will leave Hong Kong on September 27 for Frankfurt.Then he stops in Munich, The Hague, Amsterdam, Washington, New York, Boston and London.

Tsang will meet finance ministers and central bankers,investment houses and fund managers, think tanks and industry groups during his three weeks overseas.

He will attend the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group next month.

The Hong Kong government bought heavily in the stock and futures markets starting on August 14.

The aim was to foil speculators the government said was attacking the local dollar and then profiting from falls in the stock and futures markets.