5.
Question: (in Chinese) Thank you Mr Patten. I've read your Policy Report and I think there are two questions which I must raise. In the two years to come, there are two things you should do, Mr Patten. First of all, you must solve problems dealing with the economic and livelihood of Hong Kong. Do something practical; don't talk so much. That will be beneficial to prosperity and stability. Don't try and steal the limelight.
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The second issue a transitional issue. You must co-operate and discuss matters with the Chinese Government. You must also implement the consensual opinions and agreements reached by the British and Chinese Governments, and don't put further obstacles in our way. So, I have two recommendations for you. That's all, Mr Patten. Thank you.
Governor: Thank you very much indeed. Well, I think we know where your sympathies lie. I won't try to steal the limelight, so I'll be extremely brief. First of all, I very much agree with you about the importance of getting the economic and livelihood issues right. That's why I'm very pleased that our economy has grown by 18% in the last three years, which is a very considerable record. That's why I'm so pleased that we've been able in each of those years to cut taxes and increase the amount of money in Hong Kong's own Reserves. And that's why I'm pleased, as well, that we've been able to increase social welfare spending by 47% in real terms over that three year period. I think that's a real success for the people of Hong Kong and I'm delighted that I've been able to be Governor while that's been happening.
Secondly, I'm very much in favour of co-operation and co-operation is a two- way street. I'm delighted that the Chinese Government, when they met Mr Rifkin, the new British Foreign Secretary, ten days ago, accepted our proposals for co-operation on matters like a through-train for the Civil Service, on matters like co-operation with the Preparatory Committee. But if you look back over the last three years or thirteen years I don't think you could reasonably argue that when it came to co-operation it was the Hong Kong Government that had been at fault.
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Question: (in Chinese) Thank you Mr Patten, a few questions. I would also like to give you a few recommendations; and I hope you can answer my questions, of course. First of all, on housing, there are over 300,000 on the general waiting list. Originally, you were going to build 60,000 public housing units but from '90-'92 only a few thousand were finished; and in '93 you said there were to be 38 hectares which would be ready by 1996; from there, you can only get 25,000 units. How are you going to deal with all those people on the general waiting list. They currently are also trying to promote the HOS scheme, first of all to increase property prices.