XN000022-1996-10-02 — Page 39

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The world will judge HK with clear benchmarks

The Governor, The Rt Hon Christopher Patten, hopes that the world will judge Hong Kong not by preconceptions but by the evidence of what actually happens here.

Mr Patten, in his Policy Address, said the world would want to be reassured that two systems were surviving and cohabiting in one country.

"The sensible will undoubtedly apply a number of clear benchmarks as events unfold," he said.

These benchmarks include:

Is Hong Kong's Civil Service still professional and meritocratic? Are its key positions filled by individuals who command the confidence of their colleagues and the community and owe their appointments only to their own abilities?

Is the Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government writing its own Budget on the basis of its own policies, or is it under pressure to respond to objectives dictated by Peking?

Is the Hong Kong Monetary Authority managing Hong Kong's Exchange Fund without outside interference?

Is Hong Kong behaving in a truly autonomous way in international economic organisations?

Is the Hong Kong legislature passing laws in response to the aspirations of the Hong Kong community and the policies of the SAR Government, or is it legislating under pressure from Peking?

Are Hong Kong's courts continuing to operate without interference?

Is the Independent Commission Against Corruption continuing to act vigorously against all forms of corruption including cases in which China's interests may be involved?

Is Hong Kong continuing to maintain its own network of international law enforcement liaison relationships?