- 1 -
Transcript of Secretary of State's media session
Following is the transcript of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Rt Hon Malcolm Rifkind's media session after visiting Eastern District today (Monday):
Question: (inaudible)
Mr Rifkind: Linda Chaulker (phonetic) raised that subject last September when the issue first came up. Naturally, people are concerned about the latest reports and it is likely the subject will indeed be mentioned.
Question: (inaudible)
Mr Rifkind: Well, it's important to hear the Chinese Government's point of view. They have expressed their opinion and I understand journalists are going to be visiting the orphanage today. It will be very important to see what the assessment is as a result of that.
Question: (inaudible)
Mr Rifkind: No, I don't think it is relevant to the central purpose of my own visit to Peking. The Chinese Government and the British Government believe that there are very important issues to be addressed with regard to Hong Kong, with regard to our bilateral relations. There are other matters, such as the ones you've mentioned, which people are interested in, but I don't believe it is directly relevant to the visit itself in that sense.
Question: Mr Rifkind, what impact will the airing of the Channel Four documentary have on your visit?
Mr Rifkind: Well, I've just been responding to that particular point. I don't think it is relevant to the central purpose of my visit but it is a subject which we have raised in the past and I'm sure it will be mentioned when I am in Peking.
Question: Do you see any reason why it shouldn't be aired?