XN000022-1994-10-05 — Page 48

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1994

42

THE FISCAL RESERVES, TOGETHER WITH THE EXCHANGE FUND'S WILL OF COURSE BE HANDED OVER IN 1997.

ASSETS,

"WE ARE

TO PREPARED

CO-OPERATE

FULLY

WITH

THE

CHINESE

1

GOVERNMENT IN IDENTIFYING THE PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS UNDER WHICH THESE ASSETS WILL BE TRANSFERRED IN 1997.

"IN

WILL

PREPARE

A

LIST

OF THE

HONG HE SAID.

KONG

WE ADDITION, GOVERNMENT'S PROPERTY ASSETS FOR THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT,

THE FUTURE MAKES

THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO LAY FIRM FOUNDATIONS FOR ADMINISTRATION IN FRAMING ITS CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURAL PLANS. IT NO SENSE TO DRAFT PLANS FOR HONG KONG'S INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT IN ISOLATION FROM GUANGDONG AND THE REST OF CHINA.

FROM CHINESE

IN PLACE FOR CO-

"WE WILL BE RESPONDING TO VALUABLE SUGGESTIONS

ΤΟ OFFICIALS

IMPROVE THE ARRANGEMENTS ALREADY OPERATION ON THESE MATTERS.

ON

"WE ENTIRELY AGREE THAT STRENGTHENING CROSS-BORDER CO-OPERATION

IS SENSIBLE AND BENEFICIAL TO BOTH HONG INFRASTRUCTURE

++

CHINA, HE SAID.

MR PATTEN

SAID THE

ADMINISTRATION

CONSULTATIONS ON THE 1997-98 BUDGET.

KONG AND

ALSO NEEDED TO HAVE

THE то AVOID

TO CO-OPERATION "IN THIS PROCESS, WE WILL OFFER EVERY CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE IN ORDER DISRUPTION AND CONFUSION ON 1ST JULY 1997. TO DO OTHERWISE WOULD BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG'S PEOPLE," HE SAID.

NOT

THE MR PATTEN ADDED: "THE CLOSER WE GET TO THE 1ST JULY 1997,

OF THE CLOSER OUR MUTUAL INTEREST IN SECURING THE GOOD GOVERNMENT TERRITORY. WE CANNOT SIMPLY SAY, 'FROM NOW UNTIL MIDNIGHT ON 30TH JUNE SPECIAL 1997, WE TAKE THE DECISIONS, AND AFTER THAT, IT IS UP TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE REGION GOVERNMENT'.

"WE

ARE

NOT HANDING

OVER

A

BATON;

WE

OVER

ARE HANDING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE LIVES AND THE WELFARE OF HONG KONG'S PEOPLE. WE BUSTLING, THRIVING HANDING

THE GOVERNMENT OF A GROWING, OVER

ARE

COMMUNITY.

"IT IS A MATTER OF COMMON SENSE AND GOOD ORDER FOR US TO TRY TO AND THE PREPARATORY THE ENSURE THAT

EXECUTIVE DESIGNATE CHIEF

WITH COMMITTEE HAVE ALL THE HELP THEY NEED TO HANDLE A DIFFICULT JOB THE SKILL AND COMPETENCE WHICH I AM SURE THEY WILL DISPLAY. WE WILL BE PLEASED TO GIVE THEM EVERY POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE."

LAST

THE GOVERNOR SAID: "AFTER ALL, THOUGH IT IS THE LAST 1,000 DAYS OF BRITISH ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG, IT IS FAR FROM BEING THE 1,000 DAYS OF HONG KONG.

"THE SUN SETS, AND THE SUN RISES."

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