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Transcript of Governor's media session
Following is the transcript of the media session by the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, after opening the Po Leung Kuk Vicwoood K T Chong Building today (Wednesday):
Question: Governor, you mentioned in your speech that Po Leung Kuk has done a good job in helping those helpless people. But what about the situation of Hong Kong people in resolving the VM issue?
Governor: There is an important meeting in Vietnam this week following the Prime Minister's discussion with his opposite number at the Bangkok summit and officials from the Foreign Office in Vietnam this week, hoping to pave the way, prepare the way for a visit next month by the Minister of State at the Foreign Office, Mr Hanley. And we very much hope that will help to speed up the return of Vietnamese migrants to Vietnam. We've seen in the early months of this year an increase in the number of Vietnamese migrants who are returning voluntarily to Vietnam. We've also seen as you know some efficiently carried through flights under the orderly repatriation programme. So we're still working very hard to get things back onto track and to ensure that we complete the job as soon as possible.
Governor: It's reported that your Government has appointed a senior official, Simon Vickers, for sending the archive, something concerning probably the civil servants. Do you think this will arouse the disagreement between both the Chinese and British sides for that?
Governor: No. There is an agreement between the British and Chinese sides which will be honoured by the British side to the letter.
Question: Has this official already been appointed?
Governor: I've answered the question.
Question: Will you meet with Lu Ping next month?
Governor: If Director Lu comes to Hong Kong, and even if he doesn't come to Hong Kong, I'd be delighted to see him at his convenience. You know perfectly well that that is the situation; you know perfectly well that there is a commitment on Director Lu and me as Governor to meet regularly; you know perfectly well that I'm prepared to meet Director Lu at anytime; you know perfectly well that Director Lu hasn't been prepared to meet me. I think that's bad for Hong Kong. But it's Director Lu who has to explain that, not me.