XN000022-1996-01-18 — Page 3

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Question: The Legco yesterday passed with a clear majority to urge the British Government to reflect Hong Kong people's wish for Wei Jingsheng's release. So what action would you take to the Chinese side on this matter?

Governor: A number of human rights cases including the one you mentioned were raised when Mr Rifkind was in Peking before the Legislative Council debate and I'm sure that if necessary British ministers particularly the Foreign Minister when it's appropriate will continue to raise human rights issues. The Legislative Council expressed its views yesterday as it is wholly entitled to do, and the views as expressed have of course been expressed by people elsewhere in the world.

Question: Lord Wilson mentioned that both sides, both Hong Kong and Chinese Governments, have to erase their stereotypes ....

Governor: I think it is a very sensible piece of advice.

Question: But do you think this stereotype will still exist even before the hand-over of the sovereignty?

Governor: I hope not. He called for dialogue which I wholly agree with, and that's why it would be sensible for Chinese officials to come to Hong Kong and to talk to members of the Administration including the Governor who runs the Administration. Question: On Rifkind's comments on the Bill of Rights... Has the fact that the worsened international community's pressure on China and the Foreign Secretary the situation?

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Governor: No, I don't believe so. It is not of course a matter for me. But I'm sure that the international community will continue to express its views on the human rights situation in China. And because of 1997, it's a question which causes a particular interest here in Hong Kong.

Question: The Chinese side has criticised that the achievement of Rifkind's visit has been exaggerated...

Governor: I don't think that the progress was exaggerated. But what we all hope is that the commitments made by Chinese officials will be followed through in the negotiations which are now necessary on detailed and technical issues on those major

matters.

Question: Do you think you are still the obstacle of the Qian Qichen's visit to Hong Kong?