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Transcript of the Governor's media session

Following is the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten's question-and- answer session with the media after the joint luncheon of Hong Kong chmabers of commerce today (Thursday):

Question: Mr Patten, what is your reaction to China giving its endorsement to the PWC's suggestion to repeal the Bill of Rights?

Governor: To whose endorsement?

Question: The endorsement of the ....

Governor: Well, we've all heard the views of the PWC on the Bill of Rights, and I think the community's reaction speaks for itself. I think it's particularly unfortunate that in the week in which we're giving evidence in Geneva on our compliance with the I think it's International Covenants, these proposals have been put forward. particularly unfortunate in the wake of the very successful meetings that Mr Qian Qichen had in London that these proposals have been put forward. As I think people right across the community have made clear, they are proposals which call in question commitment to the rule of law or indeed, any understanding of the rule of law. They also call into question, I think, a commitment to the basic principle of Hong Kong people running Hong Kong. So, they are a real worry. And I very much hope that much wiser counsels will prevail, that these proposals won't get the chop, won't get the endorsement of Chinese officials, and that we can start to reassure people rather than make them concern and anxious about the future.

You probably heard the question I was asked inside, by a businessman, which I think reflected worries that go deep and wide across the community.

Question: Do you think it's necessary for the Government to .... of whether the PWC's proposals indeed represent the Chinese Government's position?

Governor: We'll certainly be taking this issue up very vigorously in the Joint Liaison Group, and I hope that in that context, Chinese officials will make it clear that this isn't an official proposal.

Question: Governor, for the benefit of the cameras, could you just repeat which monumental street you think will bear your inscription after 1997?

Governor: Oh, I've said that on the radio already, in jocular vein. I don't think what matters is whether you have your name attached to a building, a street or any other physical object. What matters is whether the values to which you're attached survive and prosper, and that's what I'd like to see.