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Governor: I hope it's signalling a determination of both sides to work together to accomplish what as Douglas Hurd said is a shared interest.
Question: Would the government table the draft bill of the Court of Final Appeal if the current JLG meeting can't reach an agreement ?
Governor: I very much hope that we will sooner rather than later get an authoritative and comprehensive response from the Chinese side to the legislation to implement an agreement, I underline an agreement, reached between Britain and China in 1991. A bill was given, as you know, to the Chinese side last May. A few technical amendments were passed to the Chinese in January. I think it's difficult for people who hear what Chinese officials say about their attachment to the rule of law to understand what is taking so long, to understand that why it's taking so long for Chinese officials to confirm that the bill is totally, absolutely in line with the 1991 agreement.
TTT
Question: more specific as to what Hong Kong issues will be discussed in the meeting between Douglas Hurd and Qian Qichen?
Governor: No. Obviously, Mr Qian and Mr Hurd are going to discuss the range of issues which are of concern to both sides. They're always, both of them, exceptionally well briefed about the subject in which they both take a close personal interest. So I'm sure that they will want to cover all issues in their normal way.
Question: Concerning incursion matters, one Chinese official has commented that they're going to try the two men arrested in Chinese court. How do you comment on that?
Governor: We've made our position absolutely plain when we're pursuing through diplomatic channels. And I hope that we will get a positive response from Chinese officials. This after all is a good example of whether or not one is supportive of the rule of law.
Question: Do you think that the meeting of the two foreign ministers can help in .. the CFA ... approval of the Chinese side?
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