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in ng Kong. They must recognise the role of the Legislative Council in debating these things. After all, a member of the Legislative Council who, I think, usually supports Peking, is himself pushing a Private Members Bill this afternoon and seeking in doing that to affect the way the Executive behaves. So when it
So when it suits them, some Chinese officials and some associated with the Chinese side appear to recognise the role of the Legislative Council. I wish they would recognise at all time the role which the Legislative Council has today under our existing constitutional arrangements and that the role it'll have tomorrow under the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law.
your diplomatic
Question: Sir, what is the Chinese response to your contacts..... day before yesterday?
Governor: We contacted Chinese officials again yesterday and asked them in our usual politeness when they would be able to give 11a the answer about our proposal that the 13th round of talks should take place on 17th and 18th of December. After all, if those talks weren't going to take place then or even next week, we will have to let our officials know so that they can start packing. We want to have an answer as soon as possible and we were told that our request is being considered and I hope we will get a reply very soon. But we'll go on asking for talks just as we asked for talks in the first place. You remember that the idea of these negotiations came from us.
Question: Mr Patten, you'll face the prospect to find the Hong Kong Government without any co-operation from China, that they will ignore everything you've said, how do you now reconcile it?
Governor: well, if I look back not just on the last 18 months but on a rather longer period. I am not overwhelmed by a feeling that we've been working in a co-operative atmosphere, unfortunately. I still feel very strong that it would be much better if we could co-operate over that vast range of issues on which there should be no controversy whatsoever. It's certainly true, for example, of the great majority of Joint Liaison Group issues, matters which are once of technical details, matters which are administrative rather than political. Al1 matters which all those interested in the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong should agree to work on together. I repeat what I've said before, 1. F we disagree on one or two things
two things although they are important, it shouldn't mean we disagree on everything. We should be able to co-operate in the interests of the people of Hong Kong and that is what the Hong Kong Government and that what the British Government would continue to try to do.
to do. Over the last year when sometimes the number of adjective per hour is pretty high. We've nevertheless, managed to secure a continuinÿ y.owth and progress i Hong Kong's economy. It remains one of the wonders of the world. We've seen increase in investors' confidence in our future and I that will continue to be the case and ordinary families in Hong Kong will prepare, as I am sure you are, for a happy Christmas, untroubled by turmoil, chaos or any of the slightly strange descriptions of life in Hong Kong which we hear from time to time.
am
sure
Question: Mr Patten, perhaps also have you concerned about things under your mind PWC starts to organise its own elections which will be held the instant you leave Hong Kong?
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