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Governor: I don't understand why that is inevitable and I don't see how it can happen if the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law are adhered to. For example, the position on freedom of the press, the freedom of speech, is absolutely clear in the Joint Declaration. It's absolutely clear in article 27 of the Basic Law. Director Lu made some remarks in a television interview about a week ago which I hope will be clarified. He suggested that national laws might affect freedom of speech in Hong Kong, but article 18 of the Basic Law sets out exactly what those national laws should be and none of them have anything to do with freedom of speech at all.
I think there's also some confusion about the difference between reporting and advocacy, a point which Director Lu has referred to again in a press conference today. At present, we don't make any distinction here in Hong Kong. You can write a column advocating a particular position as a journalist as you know. You can also report things as a journalist. That's what free speech means. So what Director Lu appeared to be saying today I think suggested that the position would be different after 1997. Now, I've only got taped reports to go by and what I suggest is required is a great deal more clarification of one simple point -- that the freedom of the which
press is enjoyed and enjoyed responsibly before 1997 will also exist after 1997. I welcome the fact that Director Lu is travelling around a number of countries saying in his own words that he is a salesman for Hong Kong. It's a tremendous success story and I'm delighted that he recognises that. But I think the reassurances that he's being pressed for require rather clearer answers. Yesterday there were press reports also I think in one of our papers the South China Morning Post of what Director Lu is said to have said to a group of Japanese parliamentarians about freedom of assembly after 1997. Again the position on freedom of assembly should be absolutely clear under the Joint I do Declaration and the Basic Law. I do not I want to make this absolutely plain not want to assume that Director Lu has said things when all I have seen is a press report of reported remarks and quotations from Japanese parliamentarians who are rather surprised or shocked by his remarks. But again it's something that requires clarification because otherwise it's inevitably, as your question suggests, it is going to worry people. Freedom of assembly, freedom of speech here in Hong Kong should be No ifs or buts, no guaranteed by the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law. qualifications, no phrases in brackets, no footnotes, absolute. And I think that needs to be clarified by the senior Chinese officials who have been I think causing a certain amount of concern.
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Question: Are you suggesting that there will be a violation of the Basic Law by banning demonstrations ...?