- 12.
The corporations who have investments here in Hong Kong, and there are increasingly a larger number of these, will have to basically rely on the health of these institutions. And I have just spoken, generally, that I am satisfied on the whole, provided we all work to defend our autonomy, that these institutions will remain intact and will continue to be in a healthy state after 1997. But in the event there are breaches, in addition to relying on the normal redress through the courts and whatnot, corporations of course always have the other avenue and that is through either their own governments or indeed through direct dealings either with companies here in Hong Kong or with companies in China, or with leaders in China, they can also express their concerns if they see breaches taking place.
But I repeat, essentially, what will guarantee that we conduct our business in a fair open manner are the institutions that I have just referred to and above all the maintenance of the rule of law.
On defence: Under the Basic Law the Chinese Government will of course be responsible for external defence of Hong Kong and for that purpose they will station the People's Liberation Army here. But the Basic Law also makes it quite clear that the PLA will be here only for external defence, they will not interfere in the internal law and order situation or in any internal affairs of Hong Kong. Those will continue to be the responsibilities of the civilian authorities which basically are the Police.
In the event there are emergencies or natural disasters and the SAR Government deems it necessary to call on the PLA - I repeat to call on the PLA - to assist, then the PLA may respond to such request. But the request will have to come initially from the SAR Government. In other words, the PLA cannot on their own interfere in normal law and order and emergency situations here in Hong Kong. The PLA members who are stationed here in Hong Kong will be subject to Hong Kong laws. The Chinese leaders have made it quite clear that while stationed in Hong Kong they will not be allowed to participate in any commercial activities here in Hong Kong.
President: I propose that we take a short break before we invite the second speaker to address us. But in the meantime, I am quite sure delegates may wish me to thank Mrs Anson Chan for her most interesting talk and her responses.
End