XN000022-1994-12-09 — Page 3

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Condolences to Xinjiang fire victims

The Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, this (Friday) afternoon expressed deepest condolences, on behalf of the Hong Kong Government and the people of Hong Kong, to the parents and friends of children who died in a cinema fire in Xinjiang, China.

Speaking to reporters after officiating at the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of the Open Learning Institute, Mr Patten said he had been shocked and concerned by the news headlines about the tragedy.

"I'd like, on behalf of the Government of Hong Kong and the people of Hong Kong, to express our deepest condolences to the parents and friends of those children and to officials in China," in said.

"Obviously, our thoughts and prayers go to all those who've lost loved ones in this terrible tragedy."

Asked whether the Government intended to donate some money to the Chinese Government in Xinjiang to help those children or their families, the Governor said: "Obviously, we will want to hear more details about the fire or its aftermath."

"But you know as well as I do that in previous disasters, they'd been natural disasters, the people of Hong Kong, the Government of Hong Kong have responded with as much generosity as they could.

"But I am not sure whether this tragedy is in the same category of some of those natural tragedies like the terrible floodings that we've seen in China," he said.

End/Friday, December 9, 1994