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Question: What sort of thorny issues you will raise to the Chinese leaders about Hong Kong. You say that the coming 18 months, the Hong Kong time will be very tough.

Foreign Secretary: There's been a lot of good progress over the last period and when the Chinese Foreign Minister was in London we made good progress in a number of outstanding issues. Inevitably as we approach June 1997 there are a number of matters still to be finally dealt with, a range of issues. I will be happy to cover all of them with my Chinese colleagues when I see them in Peking. But first I want to hear the views of the Governor, the views of Legco, the views of the people of Hong Kong so that I can be fully informed, very sensitive to how these matters are seen in Hong Kong because it's Hong Kong's interest that we are very determined to ensure are made known and are taken account of.

Question: What sort of proposals you would talk about on assistance to the Preparatory Committee?

Foreign Secretary: So far as that particular matter is concerned, the membership has now been announced. We were disappointed that they weren't more of those who represent the democratic point of view who were appointed to that particular organisation. But it did have a broader representation than at one stage seemed possible. So we welcome the fact that there was a broader representation than at one time impossible. Wish have gone further. We will be of course co-operating with them. That has been made clear by the Governor. It's a sensible thing to do and I look forward to that happening.

Question: How about the 400 people selection committee selecting the future Chief Executive?

Foreign Secretary: Well, we have to see what happens. The question of the appointment of the Chief Executive Designate is a very, very crucial matter. I am sure it will be handled in a very sensitive way because I think every one recognises that will a matter of very great importance to the confidence that the people of Hong Kong will rightly wish to have in their future government. Thank you very much. There will be other opportunities for a press conference.

Question: What is the role of Governor Chris Patten in the handover ceremony?

Foreign Secretary: Well, I have no doubt the Governor will have a very full role in the final ceremony. The detail is still to be worked out. But I have no doubt that it will be a very important.... should be.

Governor: I will see you on the night.

End