XN000022-1996-06-26 — Page 3

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Governor: What a question! Huge questions! Let me start with the first question. I don't think it's for me to set out the priorities for the Chief Executive (Designate) whoever that person may be. They'll have a very clear idea of what they need to do. But obviously in my Policy Address this year and in other speeches I'll want to set out what I think are some of the challenges ahead for Hong Kong, some of the problems which we haven't been able to completely or successfully tackle in the last few years, some of the difficulties that lie ahead. I think that one of them is a subject I referred to on a number of occasions. Hong Kong is going through two transitions. There is the political transition from British to Chinese sovereignty. But there's another transition as well. Hong Kong is at present a prosperous Asian city. It's on the way to becoming one of the most important financial and business centres in the world, and we would like to see that transition completed successfully. It requires that we ensure that we stay competitive. It means that we have to go on ensuring that our young people are as well educated and trained as possible. That's one reason why I'm delighted that we've been able to increase spending on education in the last four years in real terms after inflation by about 25 per cent. That isn't telling my successor what he or she should do. It's setting out what I think all of us recognise are some of the major challenges for Hong Kong over the next few years. There are others in the social field as well as in the economic, for example we're reviewing our housing strategy at the moment. It's something which Rosanna Wong whom I saw earlier today and Fung Tung have been working on, and obviously that's going to produce a new agenda in the housing field for the SAR Government.

The second question you asked was about.... The second question in the first, the second question in the first question. Obviously it's inappropriate for me to comment on who may or may not be the Chief Executive (Designate) of the SAR. What I can say is that Hong Kong today has an outstanding Chief Secretary who's recognised as such in Hong Kong and right around the world. She's impressed only recently American audiences just as much as she impresses people in Hong Kong which you can see from the opinion polls. And why does she impress people? Because she is honest, she is principled, she is decisive and she is a real leader. But I'm only commenting on her qualities as Chief Secretary. It's not for me to comment on or speculate about anything else. Your second big question?

Question: There is still a one year's time... what remains to be done? And how about your personal relationship with China ...?

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