241
SEA-1993
20:36
G.I.S.
+ 852 845 9A78 P.RAP
The Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, speaks to reporters after opening the Tai Mei Tuk Youth Hostel on September 24, 1993
:
can
you
Sir,
comment on Question releasing Deng Xiaoping's speech today?
what
S the
implication
for
Governor : It doesn't seem to me that it is particularly newsworthy to publish a speech that was made eleven years ago, a speech which has been taken out and dusted down at fairly regular intervals ever since and a speech which, of course, predated the signing of the Joint Declaration, the international treaty which guarantees Hong Kong's way of life for fifty years after 1997. So, I don't think it is a cause of concern. I don't think anybody in Hong Kong will be particularly surprised by anything it says. We all know that Britain is soverign, I hope, is responsible for Hong Kong until 30 June, 1997. We will do, with the support of the people of Hong Kong, very good job until then and then, I hope that the Joint Declaration will be implemented for fifty years afterwards.
તે
Question: Do you think it will affect foreign ministers?
the the meeting between
two
Governor : I don't think that publishing an 11-year-old speech could conceivably affect the meeting between foreign ministers. What's in an 11-year-old speech?
Question: Is the timing significant in any way?
us
new
Governor :
to speculate It wouldn't be, I think, very sensible of me about the motives of the New China News Agency. Life's too short for are a lot more to get involved in that sort of things. There
success of important things to do. We are determined to try to make the talks on political development. That's what we are attempting to do sincerely. Other people will have to speak for their own sincerity. But
Hong we are going to ensure that there are arrangements here in Kong which are fair and open, arrangements which help to sustain the rule of law in Hong Kong. I don't want people in Hong Kong to have to worry about spending the future looking over their shoulders.
Question: What's the atmosphere ahead of the 12 round on Sunday?
are concerned, is one in if we can. of the talks
Governor : Well, the atmosphere, as far as which we are determined to make ส success Other people will have to speak for the atmosphere on their side of the Lable.
Question: But do you think Mr Hurd's earlier statement against China affect the meeting between to participate in the Olympic Games will the two ministers ?
Governor : No. I don't. Chinese officials have been making it clear, I think, in the margins of the International Olympic Committee that they don't think that sport and politics should get in one another's way. I
of the meeting
the think
officials reacted that Chinese International Olympic Committee with considerable dignity. Obviously,
at
1