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Governor: It appears that they won't reach any agreement on the right of abode during this round of talks, though I haven't had the opportunity yet of talking to the leader of our team, Mr Davies. He will be briefing me on the progress of the talks. And if we don't make the progress we would like on right of abode it will be a disappointment, not a disappointment for which we are responsible but, I repeat, I don't think we should be hanging around on issues like this. I think we should be getting a move on and Chinese officials should realise how important this issue is to people's confidence in the future.
Question: But the Chinese representative reiterated that it is a matter of sovereignty. So it concerns mainly the Chinese nationality law and has nothing to do with Britain.
Governor: It is obviously of concern to everybody who has got the best interests of Hong Kong at heart as we have. And I hope Chinese officials will show that they have the interests of Hong Kong at heart too.
Question: On CT9, is there any progress in the discussion?
Governor: I think that there're still talks going on between the consortiums and between the commercial operators. I think that the sooner we can get those resolved the better. I think people in Hong Kong are rather frustrated about the amount of time which has taken. Again, I think the Chinese officials and British officials have made it absolutely clear what our position is, and the sooner we have a deal between the commercial operators the better.
Question: Mr Patten, with your visit to Lantau earlier, has the Government made any decision to extend the North Lantau country park? I understand that about HK$20 million has been allotted ...?
Governor: We haven't, I don't think, come up with the firm... let me ask the District Officer. No, we haven't. I am right. Of course, there are other issues affecting Lantau, not just the district park but development issues which were raised with me by some of the residents when I arrived on Lantau. And those are being addressed in the strategic plan covering this part of the territory and obviously the sooner we can complete that work the better.
Question: the way you are received in Peng Chau ...?
Governor: I have been delighted. I was delighted that people were so enthusiastic and I must say that I'm invariably greeted very kindly by people wherever I go. It makes my district visits particularly agreeable,