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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994
MR PATTEN BELIEVED A DECISIVE MAJORITY IN THE
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO BE ELECTED IN SEPTEMBER 1995 SERVE ITS FULL TERM THROUGH TO 1999.
THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS STATED THAT THAT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CANNOT CONTINUE BEYOND JUNE 30, 1997 AND THAT THERE WILL HAVE TO BE NEW ELECTIONS.
"WE HAVE NEVER DISPUTED CHINA'S POWER TO DISSOLVE AND THEN RECONSTITUTE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1997.
"BUT WE HAVE MADE CLEAR THAT WE DO NOT THINK THERE IS ANY GOOD REASON TO DO SO.
"AS I SAY, WE REGRET THAT AN AGREEMENT WITH CHINA ON THIS ISSUE NOT POSSIBLE BUT THE TIME HAS COME TO DRAW A LINE UNDER THE DEBATE, HE SAID.
WAS
"
MR PATTEN SAID EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT HAD SETTLED HONG KONG'S ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS, THOUGH, ALAS, NOT BY AGREEMENT WITH CHINA.
THE COMMUNITY DECIDED THAT IT WANTED FAIR AND OPEN ELECTIONS AND CREDIBLE INSTITUTIONS OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, HE SAID.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL PASSED INTO LAW THE GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSALS TO MEET THE COMMUNITY'S EXPECTATIONS.
"LAST MONTH'S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS WERE CLEAR EVIDENCE THAT THE COMMUNITY DOES VALUE ITS VIGOROUS AND CREDIBLE POLITICAL
INSTITUTIONS.
It
"THE ELECTIONS WERE HELD IN AN ORDERLY AND RESPONSIBLE FASHION. THEY DID NO DAMAGE TO HONG KONG'S STABILITY. QUITE THE REVERSE, HE SAID.
PROSPERITY BUOYED BY ECONOMIC CHANGES IN CHINA
HONG KONG'S PROSPERITY DURING THE FIRST DECADE OF THE TRANSITION TO 1997 HAS BEEN BUOYED BY THE DRAMATIC CHANGES WHICH HAVE BEEN TAKING PLACE IN CHINA, WHERE ECONOMIC MODERNISATION HAS CREATED A WEALTH OF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY
(WEDNESDAY).
HE NOTED THAT:
*
HONG KONG'S TRADE WITH CHINA HAS GROWN BY AN ASTOUNDING RATE OF OVER 500 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS.
CHINA IS NOW HONG KONG S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER, LARGEST MARKET FOR THE TERRITORY'S EXPORTS AND BIGGEST SUPPLIER OF THE TERRITORY'S IMPORTS.
THE
THE
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