· 2 -
"But above all, Hong Kong's success will be determined by the people of Hong Kong themselves. Hong Kong's success has been made by those six million people, six million extraordinarily resilient people, six million people who are very attached to their freedoms," said Mr Patten.
While in New York - his first stop in the United States following a week-long tour of Canada - Mr Patten also delivered speeches to the Council on Foreign Relations and to students and alumni at Columbia University, and attended editorial meetings with leading media.
On Monday afternoon, Mr Patten travelled by train to Washington DC where he will have a round of meetings with members of Congress and the Administration to argue for unconditional renewal of MFN for China.
End
Increase in water charges approved
The Governor-in-Council today (Tuesday) approved an increase in water charges.
The increase, which was made following an annual review of water charges, will come into effect on July 1. The last increase was over 16 months ago on February 16, 1995.
A spokesman for the Water Authority said charges for domestic consumers will increase by 8.5 per cent and for non-domestic consumers, by 9.3 per cent.
"The revision is aimed at reflecting more accurately the higher operating costs mainly due to inflation and the costs of expansion of the supply system in the next few years to cope with future demand," he said.
"The increase is below inflation which is 10.6 per cent for the same period," he remarked.
Under the new charges, 16 per cent of the 1.8 million domestic consumers will continue to enjoy free supply of water, while 63 per cent will pay less than $6 more per month.