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Transcript of the Governor media session
Following is the transcript of the media session by the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, after attending the SHA's Spring Reception this (Tuesday) evening:
Question: Have you been cheered up by Mr Major who came for the visit? He is on your side ....
Governor: Not very surprising, since he is the Prime Minister who appointed me and I've been implementing the British Government's policy, and a very sensible policy it is too. I said this morning that I think his visit was an excellent one, extremely successful. He brought good news for Hong Kong and I very much hope that Chinese officials will bring good news for Hong Kong on right of abode. Now that we've sorted out the issue of visa-free access for SAR passport holders to the United Kingdom, we want to move on as rapidly as possible to deal with the right of abode issue. And the sooner we can have sensible and practical and generous proposals to implement the promise that Mr Qian Qichen has made about everybody who has permanent residence before 1997 enjoying it after 1997, the sooner we can have proposals on the table about that the better. I also think it is extremely important for us now to start lobbying other countries in the European Union and North America and elsewhere to ensure that we have as much visa-free access for people from Hong Kong as possible.
Question: But the Chinese side thinks Mr Major is using the international pressure ....
Governor: I answered the question on that this morning. It is a ridiculous charge by the united front newspapers.
Question: Chinese officials think that the Hong Kong Government hasn't been in contact with them for the liaison office. So when will the Government be in contact with them?
Governor: The Hong Kong Government has offered assistance to the Preparatory Committee. We've established the liaison office. We've made it absolutely clear that we are standing by to be co-operative whenever we are asked for help. We are still waiting to know what the Preparatory Committee would like us to help them with.
Question: The Chinese side has said yes to the Lutheran Church to hold its world assembly in July 1997. But today Dr Noko of the Lutheran Church said the Chinese side has yet to make a very firm promise on allowing Taiwanese delegates to enter Hong Kong. What is your comment on this?