1
Transcript of Governor's media session
Following is the transcript of the remarks made to reporters by the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, after opening the Jockey Club Tuen Mun Home for the Aged Blind today (Wednesday):
Question: When will Mrs Anson Chan be visiting Beijing? In what kind of capacity, official visit or private visit?
Governor: There is an announcement being made this afternoon about Mrs Chan's visit to Peking.
Question: What is your expectation?
Governor: I hope it will be a successful visit. I hope it will help to take forward the dialogue between the Hong Kong Government and Chinese officials, and I hope that it will lead to further reassurance of the civil service.
Question: (on co-operation with Preparatory Committee)
Governor: We asked the Preparatory Committee last October what they would like us to do to help. We didn't actually get a list of requests until just before Easter. I don't think it is particularly surprising that we reflected on the list and took a little time to reply, but Mrs Chan will obviously be replying when she's in Peking.
Question: But what is her capacity, official visit or private visit?
Governor: I find this whole discussion which I've read in some newspapers baffling. Mrs Chan came to my office this morning for a meeting. Was she there officially or privately? Was she there as the wife of the Commandant of the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police? Or was she there as the leader of Hong Kong's civil service and one of the most important figures in Hong Kong's public life? I ask you. I don't understand the argument. It is ridiculous.
Question: Will her travel expense be paid by Hong Kong Government?
Governor: Of course. What do you expect?
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.