XN000022-1992-12-18 — Page 2

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1992

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GOVERNOR WILL CONTINUE TO WORK FOR HK'S PROSPERITY

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THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID HE WOULD CONTINUE WITH THE GOVERNMENT WORKING FOR THE PROSPERITY IN THE LONG TERM AS WELL AS THE SHORT TERM OF HONG KONG AS A VERY SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY.

MR PATTEN WAS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER THE OPENING OF THE

NEW HEAD OFFICE OF CONSUMER COUNCIL.

HE SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL STRENGTH OF THE ECONOMY, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, WOULD MAKE CERTAIN A CONTINUOUS PROSPERITY.

HE ALSO REITERATED THAT HE WAS WHOLLY COMMITTED, AND SO WAS THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, IN IMPLEMENTING THE JOINT DECLARATION,

AND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS IN THE JOINT DECLARATION IS ΤΟ SUSTAIN THE STABILITY AND THE PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG, THAT MEANS BEING CONCERNED ABOUT THE WELFARE AND THE LIVING STANDARDS OF ORDINARY FAMILIES HERE IN HONG KONG, HE SAID.

TO ACHIEVE, HE SAID:

"ONE NEEDS TO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN INVESTORS CONFIDENCE, THE INVESTORS' CONFIDENCE OF LOCAL FIRMS, THE INVESTORS' CONFIDENCE OF FIRMS AND BANKS AND OTHERS FROM OUTSIDE.

"I WOULD NEVER AND WILL NEVER DO ANYTHING WHICH UNDERMINES THAT CONFIDENCE.

"I WOULD CERTAINLY NEVER ATTACK AN IMPORTANT HONG KONG EMPLOYER, AN EMPLOYER THAT LOOKS AFTER THE WELL-BEING AND LIVING STANDARDS OF MANY INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES AND MANY INDIVIDUALS."

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GOVT COMMITTED TO TACKLING HARBOUR POLLUTION

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THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (FRIDAY) OPENED THE NORTHWEST KOWLOON SEWAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL SCHEME STONECUTTERS ISLAND.

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THE $1.3 BILLION SCHEME PROVIDES A DIRECT SERVICE TO OVER MILLION PEOPLE IN THE VICINITY OF ONE OF THE WORST POLLUTED PARTS OF THE HARBOUR.

IT IS ALSO A KEY ITEM IN THE HIGH PRIORITY PROGRAMME FOR SEWERAGE THAT MR PATTEN ANNOUNCED IN HIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ADDRESS ON OCTOBER 7.

MR PATTEN SAID THE BIGGEST ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE HAD TO TACKLE WAS HOW TO DEAL WITH WASTE AND SEWAGE.

/"THAT IS