Transcript of the Governor's media session
Following is the transcript of the media session by the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, after attending the 50th Congregation of the Chinese University of Hong Kong this (Thursday) afternoon:
Governor: I'm delighted to have been taking part in this ceremony, honouring for very distinguished men, and of course in particular meeting and honouring my predecessor and house guest Lord Wilson who made such a significant contribution to the well- being and the stability of Hong Kong. So it's a very enjoyable occasion for me and I know for the honorary graduands too. Any questions?
Question: The Chinese officials criticised the cost of the Western Corridor, saying that the cost of infrastructure in Hong Kong should not be fluctuated. How do you react to this?
Governor: I haven't seen that report. I'd like to study it before I comment. But as you know, the infrastructure within Hong Kong is a matter within the autonomy of Hong Kong. Of course where there are questions involving the infrastructure in the region,
connections with the infrastructure in the mainland in China, they need to be tackled for example through the Infrastructure Co-ordination Committee. But what happens in Hong Kong is before 1997 a matter of the Hong Kong Government and will be after 1997 a matter for the Hong Kong Government. But that is a general observation and I would not want to comment on the specific point you made until I am able to study the comments by the official.
Question: The Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office Lu Ping this morning criticised Mr Rifkind's speech to Qian Qichen in Beijing, saying that...
Governor: I am rather surprised at that comment by Director Lu. It doesn't seem to accord with the rest of Mr Rifkind's visit to Peking which went very satisfactorily. But if Director Lu thinks there are no concerns about the future, he should perhaps come to Hong Kong and see things for himself. If he would like to come to Hong Kong we would make him welcome again. And I hope that when he comes, he will speak to as wide a selection of the population as possible, including members of the Legislative Council and including the Governor of Hong Kong who is the head of the Hong Kong Government until 1997 and the Queen's representative.
Question: Do you think Lord Wilson's advice that the success of Hong Kong's future.. this sort of advice... too late?
Governor: No. I think it is advice which I wholly agree with, just as I wholly agree with Lord Wilson's remarks that Hong Kong's autonomy should be respected.