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Transcript of Governor's media session
The following is a transcript of the media session by the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, after officiating at the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of the Open Learning Institute this (Friday) afternoon:
Governor: Like everyone else in Hong Kong, I've been shocked and concerned by the news headlines about the terrible tragedy in China with hundreds of children dying in a cinema fire. I'd like, on behalf of the Government of Hong Kong and the people of Hong Kong, to express our deepest condolences to the parents and friends of those children and to officials in China. Obviously, our thoughts and prayers go to all those who've lost loved ones in this terrible tragedy. I am sure that members of our own Fire Department would have been thinking particularly keenly about what's happened in China. But, I'd just want to put on the record our deep concern about what's happened.
Question: There is some kind of charitable fund in Hong Kong Government. Will the Government intend to donate some money to the Chinese Government in Xinjiang in order to help those children or their families?
Governor: I think, obviously, we will want to hear more details about the fire or its aftermath. But you know as well as I do that in previous disasters, they'd been natural disasters, the people of Hong Kong, the Government of Hong Kong have responded with as much generosity as they could. But I am not sure whether this tragedy is in the same category of some of those natural tragedies like the terrible floodings that we've seen in China.
End/Friday, December 9, 1994
Government disappointed at Bar Association's stand on CFA
The Chief Secretary, Mrs Anson Chan, this (Friday) afternoon expressed disappointment at the Bar Association's failure to support the Court of Final Appeal Bill at its extraordinary general meeting (EGM) yesterday.
Speaking to reporters after inspecting the Immigration Service Annual Parade, Mrs Chan said: "It doesn't seem to us that the members of the Bar Association have taken into account the wider public interest.