3.
Governor: It's because as I said earlier the extension of that period of time suits the administration and suits the Chief Justice. I'm sure that the Chief Executive Designate of the SAR will be as concerned as I am and the rest of my administration is to have the best possible person as Chief Justice today and in the future. But since there isn't a Chief Executive Designate yet, though there is I notice much speculation, there is nobody with whom one could discuss the issue at the moment.
Question: Will you talk to he or she when this is appointed?
Governor: I'll talk to him or her, or her or him, and I think I have covered all the possibilities there, about a whole range of issues. It would be surprising if the administration of justice, the establishment for example of the Court of Final Appeal wasn't one of the issues on our agenda. As we get closer to 1997, one of the questions which business here, business internationally and people here are going to be asking about is will the rule of law stay the same in the future as it has been in the past. Whatever the arguments there may have been about other things, I think there is agreement that it is important to give assurance on that issue. So the administration of justice will be a very important issue for the Chief Executive Designate and his or her team, just as it is an important matter for me. One last question.
Question: Who will replace him after eight months? Is it possible that T. L. Yang will continue his terms?
Governor: That hasn't been decided yet.
Question: Governor, going back to the PLA drill. Do you think that the drill itself will reassure the Hong Kong people's confidence, first? Second, why do you think if Chinese garrison commits a crime, it will subject to Hong Kong law?
Governor: Because that's what the Basic Law says.
Question: The first question, do you think it will reassure the Hong Kong people's confidence?
Governor: I very much hope that when people see their televisions and I think there was a huge amount on the television last night about the PLA. Though I think there were rather different reports on Chinese language channels to those on English language channels for doubtless editorial reasons, I am sure when people see those pictures they want to be reassured about the future and I hope they are reassured.
Question: About your visit today, sir. Well, a lot of people said that this place is going to be the place that the handover ceremony will be held here. Is it an symbolic action for you to come here to show your willingness to join the handover ceremony?