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I pointed out that we in Hong Kong are going through a very sensitive transition and that anything which damaged our economy, as the failure to renew MFN would do, would make that transition all the more difficult.
I found myself throughout the trip, and in particular during my visit to the United States, having to deal with the consequences of some of the actions which had been taken by Chinese officials and Chinese advisers in recent weeks and months, and dealing with the consequences of things which have been said, we hope, things that don't necessarily represent policy. I found myself dealing with questions about the future of democratic institutions in Hong Kong, the future of the civil service, the future of the rule of law, and the future of the Bill of Rights.
I expressed, again and again, my optimism that Hong Kong would continue to succeed and prosper as a free society, above all because of my belief in the entrepreneurial momentum here in Hong Kong, and because of my belief that the people of Hong Kong themselves, their resilience and their commitment to the rule of law and to freedom, would ensure that those things weren't snuffed out.
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The American press regarded my remarks as being - I think the words that the New York Times' used were "warily optimistic" about the future, and certainly I expressed those sentiments on every occasion.
But I have to say it is worrying that some of the things that have been done and said in recent weeks have raised questions in the minds of American politicians and journalists and business leaders, and I very much hope that just as we need to give more reassurance to the people of Hong Kong over the next few months, we won't forget the importance of giving the assurance to the community outside as well. But it was as busy a trip as I have ever had and I hope, particularly on visa-free access and the renewal of MFN, we have had some success.
Question: Mr Patten, the protesters outside complain that your speech in the US hurt the image of the businessmen in Hong Kong, do you think that is the case?
Governor: No, I think that what the united front demonstrators outside should be complaining about are those advisers and those Chinese officials who in recent weeks have said things about the rule of law in Hong Kong, about the development of our democratic institutions in Hong Kong, about the Bill of Rights in Hong Kong, which have raised profound concerns both within Hong Kong, as we know, and outside Hong Kong.
I have been dealing with the consequences of those anxieties, not stirring them up. So perhaps the chaps outside who are well organised and who I am looking forward to meeting in a moment or two, perhaps they should actually be down at Happy Valley this evening.