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Liaison Office to be set up: Governor
The Hong Kong Government is to establish a Liaison Office to provide an efficient central point of contact for the Preparatory Committee.
Addressing the Legislative Council today, the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, said the Liaison Office would be a part of the Hong Kong Government, headed by the Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, staffed by civil servants, and would report directly to the Chief Secretary and to him.
Mr Patten said this proposal was one of several important agreements on matters affecting Hong Kong that were endorsed at a meeting last week between the Chinese Foreign Minister, Vice Premier Qian Qichen, and the Foreign Secretary, Mr Malcolm Rifkind.
"Much of the preparatory work for these agreements was carried out in Hong Kong in advance of the visit, and it is particularly encouraging to note the positive spirit in which they are being taken forward," Mr Patten said.
"This bodes well for improved co-operation over Hong Kong issues in the last two years of the transition."
As for the Chief Executive (Designate), Mr Patten said preliminary consideration had been given to the forms of assistance which the Government could render, and that this would be taken forward in discussions with the Chinese side.
Co-operation and understanding with the Chinese side would also be enhanced through the informal get-together sessions in Hong Kong between Hong Kong civil servants and Chinese officials, said the Governor.
"We hope that the first session will take place a few weeks from now," he said, "The intention is to enable Chinese officials to gain a better appreciation of the work done by our Heads of Branches and Departments and their perspectives of the future.
"It will also enable our senior colleagues to get to know the Chinese officials better. These occasions will enhance mutual understanding and will make it easier for the Civil Service to cope with the change of sovereignty and all its implications."
End/Wednesday, October 11, 1995
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