· 7-
Governor: Sometimes, when we've talked about these issues in the past, some pro- Peking newspapers and some Chinese officials have given the impression that they think that honouring the Joint Declaration in the development of Hong Kong's governing institutions is in some way a threat either to Hong Kong's stability and prosperity, or perhaps to other things. And I was just pointing out that what has happened today is about as threatening as a pussy cat. I mean this is an example of a mature society, deciding sensibly in a civilised way how its local affairs should be run.
Question: How would you explain about Sir Hamish's budget proposal not including the 1996-97 budget to consult with the Chinese side?
Governor: Well, that was last week's question, which was asked on a number of occasions, and like Sir Hamish Macleod, I think that this is an issue which is best discussed in the Joint Liaison Group. Everybody knows that I set out in my speech to the Legislative Council last autumn proposals for consultation and co-operation with the preparatory committee and with Chinese officials over the budget and over the financial arrangements for Hong Kong in the future. That was set out with the very best intentions of Hong Kong in mind. We put those proposals in considerable detail to the Chinese side in November. We discussed them in the December JLG. And I think it would be sensible to go on discussing them in the JLG rather than to turn them into an unnecessary argument over the airwaves. I just hope that every future Financial Secretary, both before 1997 and after 1997, will produce as successful budgets as Sir Hamish Macleod has done. Thank you very much.
End/Sunday, March 5, 1995
HK manages elections with considerable success
Hong Kong manages its elections by and large with considerable moderation and considerable success, the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, said this (Sunday) afternoon.
The elections have been as well conducted as they would be anywhere in the world, Mr Patten added.
The Governor was speaking after visiting the Press Centre set up in the City Hall for the Municipal Council elections.