XN000022-1996-06-27 — Page 27

4.

I also made it clear at the same time that this Government is unable to provide any assistance for the establishment of a Provisional Legislature, nor would this Government do anything to undermine the functioning and credibility of the existing Legislature. In this context we welcomed Mr Qian Qichen's statement that on this side of 1997 only the Governor, the Privy Council and the current Legislature will exercise power and that there will not be two power centres.

On the question of protection of human rights and press freedom, I went through, in a fair amount of detail, what the Administration has done to ensure that human rights, including press freedom, will be protected after 1997. But at the same time, insofar as press freedom is concerned, I also pointed out that whilst the Government will do its share and remain committed to ensuring that nothing remains on our Statute Book that in any way inhibits press freedom, and that all our laws are fully consistent with the Bill of Rights Ordinance, I did at the same time point out that of course practitioners in the media, including journalists, reporters and publishers, also have a role to play in defending and upholding the integrity of their profession.

Mr Martin Lee: Mr President, I see that the Chief Secretary told us that she met with various people in Washington, instead of met various people in Washington. Is it the intention of our Government now, to introduce some Americanism into this Chamber to make Hong Kong really an international city?

The President: I am not sure American is allowed in this Chamber. Only Cantonese and English can be used verbally - orally.

CS: Mr President, I am not quite sure that the question really requires an answer. Nor am I sure that met with is in any way very Americanised.

Dr Yeung Sum (in Chinese): Mr President, the Chief Secretary, today and before, has mentioned the stance of the Hong Kong towards the Provisional Legislature. However, myself and many Hong Kong people are still concerned about the following. First of all, Hong Kong Government does not support the Provisional Legislature and will give it no assistance. However, in foreign countries you say that you wish that if it is to be set up it will be widely represented. I would like to know, does it signify a softening in the stance of the Hong Kong Government towards the Provisional Legislature because of political reality?