XN000022-1995-12-14 — Page 2

1

Governor's question-and-answer session in LegCo

The following is the transcript of the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten's question-and-answer session in the Legislative Council today (Thursday):

Let me begin by saying a few words about my visit to the Philippines and then I will be happy to answer questions on that subject or on the overall question of the

economy.

I had a very useful and productive visit to the Philippines from 10-13 December. I am very grateful to President Ramos for his kind invitation and for all the arrangements which were made for me and my party. I am particularly grateful to the Philippine authorities for helping to get me home yesterday.

I had an hour long meeting over breakfast with President Ramos on Monday, followed by a meeting with Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin. I spoke at a seminar organised by the Asia Pacific University, and also gave speeches to Hong Kong and Filipino business representatives. On Tuesday morning I met the President of the Senate, Senator Gonzalez, and the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Maceda, I also visited Subic Bay and saw for myself the impressive developments underway there, which included of course investments from Hong Kong.

I believe that my visit helped to confirm the very strong commercial and trading relationship between Hong Kong and the Philippines, and will have strengthened our partnership in APEC. Hong Kong is the second largest direct investor in the Philippines. Last year we invested some US$290 million there. So we have an important stake in the future of the Philippines, and it is important to keep our overall relationship in good repair.

I also had the opportunity of discussing with President Ramos and others the position of the substantial Filipino community in Hong Kong. I assured the President that we would continue to do our best to ensure that domestic helpers, who constitute the overwhelming majority, although not the entirety, of the Filipino community in Hong Kong, enjoyed proper legal protection. The President and his colleagues were appreciative of the efforts made by the Hong Kong government and by the whole community on behalf of domestic helpers here.