XN000022-1997-02-18 — Page 2

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Transcript of Governor's media session

The following is the transcript of the media session by the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, after attending the SHA's reception this (Tuesday) evening:

Governor: Kung Hei Fat Choi. Two questions.

Question: Mr C H Tung will go to Beijing tomorrow for the appointment of the main secretaries after 1997, how confident will ... that all those 24 secretaries will remain in office after 1997?

Governor: It is not a matter for me, it is a matter for Mr Tung. I would only say two things. First of all, I have had the benefit of working with an outstanding team of officials, of public servants who, as we all know, have been one of the main reasons for Hong Kong's extraordinary success and stability. I very much hope that Mr Tung will have as good a team because there are very fine public servants here in Hong Kong.

The second thing I would say is that I think that the whole community hopes that the best people will continue to be able to serve Hong Kong and will continue to be asked to serve Hong Kong. Mr Tung, as a member of the Executive Council for a number of years, knows how good our Civil Service is and I have no reason to doubt that he won't want the very best people to work with him in the interests of Hong Kong.

Question: Mr Tung has said that he would like to request policy secretaries to work with him before the handover. Do you think that would be acceptable?

Governor: If Mr Tung has any particular requests for support I am sure he will want to raise them with me and with the Chief Secretary and we will want to be as helpful as possible. It is my task to see that Hong Kong is as well-governed as possible until 30 June, and as you know there is an obligation on the Chinese side in the Joint Declaration, in Article 30, to co-operate with the existing government until 30 June. So my task is clear. But in discharging that task I want to be as helpful to Mr Tung as possible and I think that we can honestly say that we have extended the hand of friendship and co-operation very effectively.

I said only two questions. I'm being so generous.