- 28 -
Г
+
Transcript of the Governor's media session
The following is a transcript of a stand up press session given by the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, after a formal breakfast meeting with President Fidel V Ramos on Monday (December 11) in Manila:
Governor: I've had a good discussion for about an hour with the President. We reviewed our work together in APEC; we talked about the substantial economic and trading relationship between Hong Kong and the Philippines; we talked about the very substantial Hong Kong investment in the Philippines; and, of course, the work and role of Filipino domestic helpers in Hong Kong.
We also talked about the importance of concluding negotiations on the Air Service Agreement between Hong Kong and the Philippines and some other bilateral issues of that sort.
There was one other issue that I raised with the President: I pointed out that there was one shadow over our relationship and that while it was marvellous that so many of you had come from Hong Kong to the Philippines, alas, you hadn't come here to report on the economic relationship between Hong Kong and the Philippines, you had come here mainly because of substantial public concern about two Hong Kong citizens who have been in prison in the Philippines for four years.
I noted that just as the Government in the Philippines was concerned about the welfare of its citizens when they were abroad, so we too in Hong Kong were concerned about the welfare of our men and women when they were abroad; and that there was very substantial concern in the community, in the Legislative Council, in the media, about the fact that the appeal process for Mr Au and Mr Wong had taken so very long. I underlined the fact that none of us in Hong Kong were in any way questioning the Judiciary or the judicial process in the Philippines; we weren't seeking to interfere or intervene. But we were worried, and understandably worried about the length of time it was taking to bring these matters to a conclusion.
The President said that he understood that concern and worry, that he would speak with his Justice Ministry about what could be done to expedite the case, and that he would let me know what the conclusion was. I did say that speaking between friends, that I wanted him to know that I would continue to take an interest in this case and that everybody in Hong Kong would expect me to continue to take an interest in this case.