XN000022-1996-09-19 — Page 2

Transcript of Governor's media session

Following is the transcript of the media session by the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, after visiting the Yau Tsim Mong District this (Thursday) afternoon:

Governor: I am sorry to keep you waiting. I am delighted to have been able to make my third official visit to Yau Tsim Mong District today. I have been very happy to see some of the work that is being done in the district and to have an opportunity of an exchange of views with the Chairman of the District Board and with Members of the District Board.

I will be continuing my round of district visits from now through until 30 June next year and hope to get through all the districts for a third time and perhaps embark on a fourth round with some districts.

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Question: CT9 the JLG has reached agreement on CT9, what do you think about that?

Governor: I think, like everybody else in Hong Kong, I breathe a huge sigh of relief. I think the agreement which has been reached is in everyone's interests. It is particularly in the interests of Hong Kong, of the development of our port, the creation of jobs and the strengthening of our economy.

Four years ago we set out with the objective of developing our port, increasing its capacity while introducing a new competitor into the delivery of services. Well, we've finished up four years later, after I don't know how many meetings, by achieving that objective. So our objective of developing the port and introducing, as it were a new player into the enterprise, has been achieved.

I am sorry that it has taken four years. I think many people have a view about why it has taken so long. But at last we have got the objective that we should all want and I think that each of the firms involved, each of the consortiums, the port itself and the whole community are the winners.