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Question: Mr Patten, I believe the Apple Daily said today that China asked that the PLA be stationed here before the transition of sovereignty. Do you have any comment on that?
Governor: No, except that sovereignty is transferred on the June 30, 1997. And I think that has implication for all of us.
Question: So, has the British side turned down the request?
Governor: That's why I've given you the answer that I have given you.
Question: On the BOR, do you think that the condemn by the Chinese official on the debate by the Legislative Council will worsen the situation, I mean the Hong Kong Government lobbying the Chinese side and also the Sino-British relations will be worsen?
Governor: I don't think it was a very helpful observation. I think a number of the things that have been said by the PWC and Chinese officials recently have been exceptionally unhelpful and rather surprising. They come within days of a successful visit by Vice Premier Qian Qichen to London for which we all hoped will usher in an era of greater understanding and greater co-operation. And then we had these extraordinary remarks made and recommendations which have set off alarm bells in Hong Kong which have echoed all round the world. There's been a tremendous consensus in Hong Kong on this issue, right across the community. In those circumstances, it's perfectly natural that the Legislative Council should want to discuss and debate these matters. After all what we are talking about is proposals for legislation. If the Legislative Council doesn't talk about that, what is it supposed by the PWC to talk about? And people are bound to say to themselves that who is most representing the interest of Hong Kong? Is it the Legislative Council that once debated these things or is it the PWC? I think people will also be interested in those members of the PWC who when the Bill of Rights was discussed in the Legislative Council a few years ago were all voted for it and spoke out in favour for it. I hope that we'll hear their voices again. So none of us want this controversy. None of us want to see these matters become a subject of real concern in Hong Kong and beyond. The controversy has not been stirred up by the Hong Kong Government and hasn't been stirred by the Hong Kong legislature.
Question: Did the thing worsen Sino-British relations?
Governor: It's a very curious way of trying to improve them.
End/Wednesday, November 8, 1995
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