XN000022-1996-03-22 — Page 4

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Question: (inaudible)

Governor: Well, certainly the last lot of proposals that came out were precisely that for reasons which I set out in an interview recently with the Hong Kong Economic Journal. There are huge complexities in these issues. We're not being spoilsports, but we want to see proposals which are generous and which will work. That's what Hong Kong wants to see. So the sooner we can have expert talks the better.

Question: In what sort the Government prepares for those proposals put forward after the second plenary of the Preparatory Committee ...?

Governor: The sensible thing before any conclusions are reached would be for experts to discuss these matters. I repeat something which is very simple. This is going to have to be administered by the Hong Kong Government, not by the Governor of Hong Kong, but by officials in the Immigration Department of Hong Kong. So the sooner those things can be discussed between experts the better.

Question: I'm referring to the co-operation of liaison committee, between the liaison office and the Preparatory Committee.

Governor: There is a liaison office which has been set up and is just waiting to hear from the Preparatory Committee. It's like waiting to hear whether you've got a date; the phone's there; everybody knows the telephone number; the liaison office sitting behind it waiting to discover whether it is the cinema this evening or out to supper or what it is. To be serious, we're very happy to co-operate within the sensible, principal parameters that I've suggested on a number of occasions. So we'll look forward to hearing the phone ring.

End

Transcript of FS's media session

Following is the transcript of the media session by the Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang, after addressing the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce today (Friday):