XN000022-1996-12-19 — Page 2

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Transcript of Governor's media session

Following is the transcript of a brief media session given by the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, before the recording of his fourth "Governor's Christmas Choice" programme for RTHK Radio 3 this (Thursday) morning:

Governor: I hope Hong Kong will have another happy and successful year and that the transition will be very successful and that Mr Tung will have a successful time as Chief Executive.

Question: So, any significant meaning to the selected songs to yourself?

Governor: No, they are just ten or eleven discs which I like a lot. This is the fourth time I've been allowed to do this for Christmas Day. Each time I have a different collection of music and each collection has been very different as you see from this one. I hope the people will enjoy the music.

Question: So, the number ten is that "As Time Goes By", any specific meaning to yourself?

Governor: No, it is because I like the film "Sleepless in Seattle" and I also like "Casablanca". And as you know, "As Time Goes By" is a wonderful recording of the number by Jimmy Durante. Okay.

End

FS: HK to build upon established policy

The Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang, tonight (Thursday) said that Hong Kong had to build upon its established policies, systems and institutions in order to achieve greater economic success in the run-up to 1997 and long beyond.

Speaking at a dinner hosted by the Chinese Manufacturers Association, Mr Tsang said that he would not alter the judicious way to deal with Hong Kong's current economic issues nor would he change the basic non-intervention policy.

"Our basic non-interventionist stance remains a virtue. Yet at the same time we need to be alert to the rapid changes around us and be even more pro-market and pro- active," he said.