3.
Question: The relations between the two garrisons should be reciprocated in government level. In other word, may be Director Lu... and come to Hong Kong to see how things operate?
Governor: Mr Lu knows what people in Hong Kong thinks because he reads the Hong Kong newspapers and reads the Hong Kong opinion polls. Obviously, General Liu's visit is a helpful one. I'm sure he'll find it constructive and I am sure that he'll find that he's talking to very professional soldiers and airmen and naval personnel on our side and that he'll be impressed by the facilities that will be available here for his own garrison which I am sure he will want to see operating as successfully as the garrison has operated in the last few years.
Question: You've just said that Regina Ip received about her new post about a fortnight ago and also Mr Leung submitted his retirement application a fortnight ago. Do you mean that it could be that Regina Ip received her invitation before Mr Leung applied for retirement?
Governor: No, I don't mean that.
Question: Would you expect Mr Liu to discuss in details with officials from the Security Branch on how to draft the garrison law ...?
Governor: I would expect us to be told in the JLG in due course what proposals on the garrison law Chinese officials have because it will obviously be of concern to people in Hong Kong. Last question.
Question: (inaudible)
Governor: You've only got to look at every opinion poll that's done in Hong Kong. You've only got to talk to people in Hong Kong to know that there are some concerns about the future. I don't think there are concerns about the future between now and the 30 June 1997. I think that I'm stating the obvious in saying that there are concerns about what may happen beyond then and it's ridiculous and dishonest to pretend otherwise. What we want to try to do is to give as much reassurances we can before 1997. But obviously the principal reassurance has to come from Chinese officials and from those who advise China in Hong Kong. Some of the things that have happened recently in relation for example to freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, some of those things stand directly from what Chinese officials have said and haven't frankly been tremendously helpful. But I hope we can put all that behind us and see reassurance in the future rather than statements which have the opposite effect.