XN000022-1995-09-11 — Page 2

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Transcript of Governor's media session

Following is the transcript of the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten's media session after a function at Hong Kong Club today (Monday).

Question: Good afternoon, Governor, haven't seen you for a long time.

Governor: You should have come out to Sha Tin last week where you would have seen me and you'll see me again tomorrow afternoon at the Boundary and Election Commission.

Question: I would just want to ask a question, on behalf of them, your reaction to the Han Dongfang affair?

Governor: As you know, Mr Han is in Hong Kong because he was thrown out of China, and because his passport hasn't been returned to him. So we're not responsible. If the Chinese authorities would return Mr Han's passport and let him go back to China that would sort out the issue straight away. And I am sure it would please Mr Han. In the meantime, he's living in Hong Kong and if there are problems, I think the Chinese officials themselves should sort them out.

Question: But the NCNA official criticised the Hong Kong Government for shielding him and let him stay in Hong Kong.

Governor: What do they want to do? I repeat, they threw him out of China, and they took his passport away, so where he is supposed to go?

Question: Can you talk about this debate? What did you tell the British businessmen?