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Governor: Nobody in their right mind would want to push Hong Kong down a cliff and certainly not China which is the future sovereign power and that was determined by history a long time ago. Hong Kong is a terrifically successful community. What happens here in 1997 is going to be frankly one of the most important events of our time. That's not exaggeration. It's literally true. It is something which will have very considerable implications, not just for everyone in Hong Kong, not just for China and the region but for the world, so it's very very important for everyone that Hong Kong continues to succeed. It's above all important for China. Hong Kong is a huge and successful place. It represents about a quarter of China's national wealth, just six million people achieving that. It provides all sorts of other possibilities for China as well as giving China its almost ideal bridge to the rest of the world, so I very much hope that Chinese officials like Mr Zhang, and I agree with you about his, that he always dresses extremely well. I am sure that they will all want to make certain that Hong Kong is as successful as possible. They certainly should be.
Presenter (in Chinese): A follow-up question, Mr Patten, next week when, you visit Britain again would you try to fight for the right of abode in UK for British Passport holders in Hong Kong?
Governor: Well, that is an argument which I have pressed again and again and will continue to do so. The only surprise appears to be that while we in Hong Kong are very much aware of what is the policy of the British government and the Opposition in Britain that unfortunately in Britain not enough people seem to understand what we have been saying since 1989. If the Governor of Hong Kong does not put the practical and moral case for that then I don't know who's supposed to. But there are other issues perhaps in global terms less substantial but also very important like the one that I was discussing absolutely at the beginning of this programme, if anyone was listening at So all these questions of nationality, the that stage, on the ethnic minorities. obligations which Britain should in my judgement feel to Hong Kong, are questions that I'll continue to put and it doesn't always make me very popular in Britain, but it's my job as Governor of Hong Kong to stand up for Hong Kong whether I'm standing up for Hong Kong in my relationship with China or whether I'm standing up for Hong Kong in relationship with the United Kingdom.