XN000022-1995-10-11 — Page 58

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eyes of the world would be on Hong Kong as 1997 approached, he said.

Mr Patten said the twin tasks of developing a democratic administration while co-operating in the transition with the future government of the territory led the people of Hong Kong and the rest of the world to ask one simple question: "Is it all going to work?"

"My own answer is clear," he said. "Yes, Hong Kong will grow and succeed in freedom, stability and decency, provided its people want to do so strongly enough and have the self-confidence to recognise that the values that have made Hong Kong great are the values of the future, in Asia and the world as a whole.

"The future lies with those who can combine economic opportunity with human dignity and freedom."

Kong.

Mr Patten added that one other pre-condition of success was to trust Hong

He hoped China would show that it did so by starting to talk to Members of the Legislative Council who are better placed than most to help others understand the key to Hong Kong's success.

"It is not long now, and everyday will count," he said.

"We should dedicate ourselves - Britain, China and Hong Kong - to using each of those days to help make this community's future secure," he said.

"That is what we owe the people of Hong Kong. That is what they expect of us. We must not fail them. My government, for its part, is determined to succeed."

End/Wednesday, October 11, 1995

Governor's Policy Address on Internet

The full text of the 1995 Policy Address of the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, is also available on the Internet's World Wide Web at http://www.hku.hk/hkgcsb/

End/Wednesday, October 11, 1995