XN000022-1996-05-22 — Page 47

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Handover of sovereignty ceremony

Following is a question by the Hon Lee Wing-tat and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

With regard to the ceremony for the handover of sovereignty in 1997, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

(c)

Answer:

Mr President,

of the estimated number of overseas journalists coming to the territory to cover the event;

what assistance will be provided to these journalists; and

whether overseas journalists coming to the territory to cover the event will be required to obtain prior approval from the authorities concerned; if so, whether the Chinese Government's consent to such an arrangement will need to be sought?

My reply is as follows:

(a)

To assess media interest, the Information Services Department conducted a survey with local and overseas news organisations in April. The returns received to date indicate about 2,300 media personnel plan to cover the handover ceremony and related events. However, as there are some 13 months to go before the handover, we expect that more news organisations may come forward and that the ultimate number may reach several thousands.