XN000022-1995-12-14 — Page 37

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Governor: Yes, I told him what the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law say about the freedom of religious organisation and religious worship. And we also briefly discussed relations with the church in China, which obviously aren't a matter for me but are a matter on which he is very knowledgeable.

Question: Were the concerns..?

Governor: He did not express concern.

Question: Mr Patten, some people are just hoping that some of the business that will close and will actually move out after 1997 from Hong Kong will come to the Philippines. Would you think there is a chance that ...

think there is a chance that ... international situation?

Governor: I hope you will take it in good heart if I say that my enthusiasm for all that you have achieved in the last few years in the Philippines does not extend to hoping that Hong Kong firms will depart from our territory and set up in your own country. I think there is every reason why Hong Kong firms should retain their roots in Hong Kong. But of course Hong Kong businessmen and Hong Kong investors have prospered over the years by investing overseas as well as in Hong Kong: US$290 million has been invested from Hong Kong in the Philippines in 1994. I hope that is an indication of our international view but I don't think you can expect us to do any more than that.

Question: It seems that the Philippine Government is going to ...Filipino domestic workers back to the country... so do you think that it will affect Hong Kong?

Governor: I don't believe anything that anybody has said to me suggests to me that it is true, particularly given the importance of the repatriation of overseas carnings to the Philippines economy. Were it to be true, though I don't believe it is, it would obviously have an impact on Hong Kong as well as an impact on the Philippines. But I repeat that I don't believe it's true. And nobody, while I've been in the Philippines, has suggested that it is about to happen.

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