XN000022-1987-01-16 — Page 32

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 1987

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STATEMENT BY THE HON LYDIA DUNN,

SENIOR MEMBER OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

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I AM DELIGHTED THAT SIR DAVID WILSON HAS BEEN APPOINTED THE NEW GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG. SIR DAVID WILSON'S DEEP KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF HONG KONG AND CHINA, HIS ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE. HIS ROLE IN THE NEGOTIATIONS LEADING UP TO THE JOINT DECLARATION AND HIS WORK ON THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP MAKE HIM UNIQUELY QUALIFIED FOR THIS POSITION. HE HAS SOUND JUDGMENT AND HIGH INTELLECT.

THE SPONTANEOUS REACTION OF THE PUBLIC TO THE DEATH OF THE LATE GOVERNOR SHOWED NOT ONLY THE IR AFFECTION FOR THE MAN BUT ALSO THE IMPORTANCE OF THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG AT THIS TIME. I AM SURE THE COMMUNITY WILL REMEMBER THAT AS THEY WELCOME HIS SUCCESSOR AND GIVE SIR DAVID WILSON THE IR SUPPORT AS HE TAKES UP HIS HEAVY RESPONSIBILITIES. HE WILL HAVE MY FULLEST SUPPORT.

NEW GOVERNOR EXPECTED IN EARLY APRIL

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THE NEW GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN HONG KONG IN EARLY APRIL, THE ACTING GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID AKERS- JONES, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT'S ANNUAL PARADE, SIR DAVID SAID HE WAS DELIGHTED THAT SUCH A CLOSE, PERSONAL FRIEND WOULD BE THE NEXT GOVERNOR. +1 AM SURE THAT WE ALL LOOK FORWARD TO HIS ARRIVAL,+ HE SAID.

SIR DAVID ALSO SAID HE WAS SURE THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE DELIGHTED THAT SUCH A GOOD FRIEND AND AN OLD FRIEND OF CHINA, AND SOMEONE WITH A DEEP KNOWLEDGE OF CHINESE HISTORY AND OF THE LANGUAGE HAD BEEN APPOINTED, AND THAT IT WOULD BE EASY TO FIND A GOOD RAPPORT WITH HIM.

THE ACTING GOVERNOR DESCRIBED THE NEW GOVERNOR AS A MAN OF GREAT INTELLECTUAL ABILITY WHO KNEW HONG KONG WELL.

+SO I AM QUITE SURE THAT HE WILL BE ABLE TO BECOME FAMILIAR VERY QUICKLY AND COME UP TO DATE WITH HONG KONG'S PROBLEMS AND ADMINISTRATION, HE SAID.

/ASKED WHAT