XN000022-1996-07-25 — Page 2

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Transcript of the Governor's media session

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The following is the media session by the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, this (Thursday) morning at Central Government Offices:

Governor; ... Having a discussion with Mr Tsang before I go off on my holiday. He is, you know, acting as Governor until Mrs Chan returns to the office on 1 August. So we have been talking about one or two on-going issues. Any questions?

Question: Governor, on Monday when the Canadian ... Axworthy made public the Hong Kong Government's involvement the dissidents. Does it represent any setback in the movement, do you feel that by making it public it has hurt China?

Governor: I think all of you know and I think the whole community knows that we never comment on these particular subject and I think the community understands the reasons for that approach on our part. That has been our position and will remain our position. I don't think that position or the interests of anyone in Hong Kong had been hurt by anything that's been said this week. We have a very good and understanding relationship with Canada as a whole and the Canadian Government in particular and I am sure that will continue.

Question: How ... in Basic Law if those dissidents stay in Hong Kong for more than seven years, will they be qualified to become the residents of Hong Kong?

Governor: I honestly don't want to add anything to what I've said and certainly I don't want to speculate about particular meanings of the Basic Law. I think you all understand the reasons for our reticence in commenting on this particular issue. It's perfectly understandable that you ask the question but I think it's also perfectly understandable that I give the answer I do.

Question: Would you elaborate on your reason, say you are not going to comment ...?

Governor: My reasons are that it's in nobody's interest for me to comment further. It's certainly not in the interests of anybody about who I might be commenting.

Question: What is your reaction to NCNA official who would like to know the content of the list?

Governor: I don't have any comment on the NCNA's interest in the issue.

Question: (Follow-up question on dissidents)