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Transcript of the Governor's media session
Following is the transcript of the media session by the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, after visiting the Extension of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre this (Tuesday) afternoon:
Governor: I think it is a stunning project. It is going to be one of the greatest buildings not just in Asia, but I think one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, set in this incomparable position in the middle of our harbour. I think the architects, the engineers -- all those involved in the construction -- have done a really wonderful job. It is a very difficult project and there are obviously still some challenges and problems ahead. But I am sure that all involved will complete the project in time so that it can be used in 1997 for example for the IMF and World Bank Meetings that year. I think there'll be a great deal of international attention focused on the building, not just what goes on here, but what a beautiful building it is and what a tribute to this to Hong Kong, to the vision of Hong Kong, to the ability of Hong Kong to get things done and to Hong Kong's vision of itself as an international finance and business centre for the future, because this is going to give Hong Kong pretty much the best convention centre in Asia, not quite the largest; there is one which is a little bit larger in Tokyo. But it is certainly the largest in this part of Asia and one of the largest in the world. So I've been delighted to see it today and I'm looking forward to see its completion over the next 18 months. It is a big and expensive project. It is going to cost all in all about four billion Hong Kong. But I'm sure it's a very good investment. The business community were pressing us for it for years and I'm sure they'll be as delighted as everybody else at the progress that's being made.
Question: Governor, the Government has just announced that it is going to extend the Chief Justice's term for eight months. Why ...?
Governor: We talked to the Chief Justice and agreed that the Chinese New Year next year would be about the sensible time for his term to be extended to. He's done a very distinguished job and I think a few more months will suit everybody and should suit everybody. By the early part of next year, we'll all be looking to the future and beyond 1997 and I hope we'll be able to have a smoother transition for the administration of justice and the judiciary.
Question: Anything specific that ... to get done in this extra time?
Governor: I'm sure he'll continue the work of helping to prepare the way for the Court of Final Appeal, helping to work with the localisation of the Judiciary, helping with the introduction of the use of the Chinese in the courts which is an initiative which he's been very much associated with. And there're a lot of administration of justice issues which need to be carried forward and I'm sure they'll receive excellent leadership from
the CJ.