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Governor: I saw a number of comments made on right of abode and citizenship issues by very senior Chinese officials over the weekend, and I am not quite sure of the context in which those remarks were made because I didn't entirely follow what all of them meant. But we are discussing right of abode and related issues in the Joint Liaison Group with Chinese officials and I hope that we can reach agreement as soon as possible on a set of recommendations which would be able to command the confidence of people in Hong Kong.
Question: What else do you think Government can do to press for the release of Xi Yang?
Governor: Well, we take opportunities that arise, for example the recent meeting between Malcolm Rifkind, the new British Foreign Secretary, and his opposite number Mr Qian Qichen. We take all opportunities like that to press for information about Mr Xi Yang, and we will continue to do that.
Question: I didn't catch the first part, Sir, but do you think, in the light of the What are your statement made by the Chief Justice, that he should resign? impressions on what has happened and the follow up? Do you think that last week has somehow damaged the Bill of Rights debate in the future?
Governor: No. I think that the events of the last weeks have demonstrated the very solid, substantial, broadly based commitment by people in Hong Kong to the Bill of Rights, which they know is one of the protections of their way of life and their freedom today and in the future. I think everybody must have been extremely impressed by the strength of feeling which the community has shown on this particular issue. I said, before you were able to join us, that the Attorney General, having returned from China now, is looking at the remarks made by the Chief Justice and will consider in due course whether or not a response is required.
Question: Mr Patten, to your very best knowledge, what would be your opinion about the so called New Zealand approach recommended by the CJ?
Governor: My approach is very much what I said in the Legislative Council last week. It is also worth, I think, studying the speech made not very long ago by the President of the Court of Appeal in New Zealand on the similarities, in practise, between the New Zealand and Hong Kong approaches. But I repeat what I said earlier, that I want the Attorney General to have a look at the Chief Justice's remarks and consider whether anything more needs to be said. Obviously, at the end of the day, it is in everyone's interest in Hong Kong that we should have the maximum confidence in the Judiciary and our judicial process, and I hope that we can maintain that.