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Question: Mr Patten, 18 cargoes of firearms have been seized in the cargo terminal, do you think that Hong Kong has been used by a certain group of those people as the transition centre of firearms in Asia?
Governor: I don't think it is a principal distribution point for weapons in Asia but there has always been concern about arms proliferation and always concern about arms - or drugs - going through Hong Kong, which is why we work very closely with other law enforcement agencies in North America, in Asia and in Europe, and why I am very pleased that the Police and the Customs have identified this particular group of weapons. It is terribly important for our integrity as a principal trading city that we deal with issues like drugs and arms very vigorously indeed. We do so now and I am sure the future Government of the SAR will want to operate just as effectively.
Question: Mr Hanley, how does your visit here by the President of the Board of Trade indicate China's and its neighbours importance to Britain commercially for the next millennium?
Mr Hanley: The relationships between nations of this world are going to be vital to make sure that we all maximise the benefits that extra trade can bring to our own people. And that is one of the reasons why we are so keenly interested to preserve this remarkable miracle that is Hong Kong because Hong Kong is one of the most vibrant places in the world. The standard is set by Hong Kong as far as the business excitement and the flourishing city that is Hong Kong, all of that is part of what we want to preserve. But our relationship with China is part of an international relationship and when I was in Peking last week it was interesting to note that no fewer than eight or nine countries were there looking at the trading arrangements between them and China, and that is nothing more than normal.
I am pleased that our investment in South-east Asia, the United Kingdom's investment, is the largest of any country in Europe. We have this deep commitment to the region and obviously our trade links with Japan, Korea and Taiwan are important for the United Kingdom. Inward investment into the United Kingdom has preserved or created over 100,000 jobs in the last one year alone and we want to make sure that jobs are created here, that Hong Kong continues to grow, and the relationship with China is one very good way of making sure that we continue to see eye to eye for the benefit of the people of Hong Kong.
Question: Mr Patten, what is your view on an Executive Councillor participating in the Selection Committee?