XN000022-1995-01-12 — Page 4

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Governor: We've put some proposalss to the Chinese side and of course, we've been anxious to have discussions with them. I very hope that we can see these discussions take place and lead to some early conclusions. I don't think frankly that remarks made by Chinese officials recently have been very helpful. This is an issue which people in Hong Kong are concerned about. They are going to get more concerned the closer we get to 1997. So I do hope that we can see a positive response to the efforts that we're making and that our Immigration Department are keen to make in order to resolve these problems.

Question: The Director of Immigration is so confident about there will be agreement on the definition. But some of the Chinese officials are not.

Governor: I think that is a reflection of the fact that we in Hong Kong are anxious to solve these problems through consultation and discussion. And I'm afraid not everybody else is. But I hope that people in Hong Kong will make it abundantly clear to Chinese officials there isn't any politics in this. It is a matter about the well being of the community in Hong Kong. This is a matter which goes right to the heart of people's concerns in Hong Kong. So let's see the matter discussed as soon as possible and let's see some practical solutions agreed on. We've put forward proposals. We think that these problems could be sorted out very rapidly if there was a will and a commitment on both sides.

Question: Is this issue the government's trump card on co-operation with Chinese ?

Governor: No, it is not a question of playing these issues as a card in a game. It's far too important for that. It is about the ability of people from Hong Kong in the future to travel as freely and as easily as they do today. It is about setting people's minds at rest, about their status in Hong Kong and about their ability to move in and out of Hong Kong as easily as they do today. Those are the issues that are at stake. We really must resolve them as quickly as possible. That can be no conceivable interest in anyone putting off, trying to resolve these issues until 1997. All of that will do is to create worry and create uncertainty. So I very much hope that we'll be able to get on and sort these matters out. I say that without I hope making political remarks at all. It's a matter of concern to everyone in Hong Kong.

Question: Mr Patten, do you think Britain has a more active role to play in pursuing the Chinese counterpart in this issue?

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