10 -
Question: I have a question about the provisional legislature of Hong Kong. You have already said that the Hong Kong Government is not prepared to work with this legislation. On the other hand, China is ongoing. To what extent is an effective dialogue between the two governments on the transition of Hong Kong?
Chris Patten: The Foreign Secretary made it clear that in our view the announcement from the Preparatory Committee about the future of legislature was, and I quote "reprehensible and unjustifiable". That is the position, and as far as we are concerned there is one legitimate legislative council in Hong Kong. There will not be another one. There certainly won't be another one before 1997, and if the Chinese side go ahead with their threats to this Legislative Council, they will have to explain the consequences to the people of Hong Kong and to international opinion.
Question: But will this affect the agenda of the JLG on the series of issues you are discussing?
-
are
Chris Patten: Well, I do not imagine it will be very helpful, and of course the Chinese side under JD30 and elsewhere - I think I have remembered JD30 correctly committed to the proposition that we are responsible for the government and administration of Hong Kong until 30 June 1997. There are some very eloquent arguments about the importance of us retaining authority until the 30 June 1997 by some of the most pre-eminent members of the Preparatory Committee, although some of them, it is true, made those comments before they became members of the Preparatory Committee.
Question: I know you mentioned this this morning, and I know you are not averse to going over old ground
-
Chris Patten: I always like to repeat myself if the question is the same as one I have answered before. I hate to be interesting!
Question: Would you comment on the withdrawal of the invitation by the Preliminary Committee of Cheung Man Kwong and Szeto Wah?
Chris Patten: I find it difficult to believe that any Chinese official can believe that it is in China's interest or Hong Kong's interest to take the view and act on the view that those who clearly represent majority opinion in Hong Kong should be frozen out of a dialogue about Hong Kong's future. I do not think that is the way to promote social or political stability in Hong Kong. I do not think that is the way to win hearts and minds in Hong Kong, and I do not think it is the best way of convincing Hong Kong opinion or international opinion that come hell or high water the Chinese are committed to making sure that the Joint Declaration is implemented as enthusiastically as possible.