XN000022-1997-02-18 — Page 4

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So I don't think free-speech is a problem. I think the problem is actions rather than words, and if things are done which appear to damage Hong Kong's chances of success then inevitably that will cause concern around the world. So I think that what has been a worry in the last few weeks isn't anybody making speeches, I think what has been a worry is some of the decisions announced about the Bill of Rights and about our civil liberties protection, and I think what has worried people elsewhere is some of the things that have been said by and about the provisional legislature.

Now, I hope that that damage can be limited and I hope that we can put all that behind us because nobody wants Hong Kong to have a bad international press. But Hong Kong doesn't have a bad international press because of speeches that are made by people, it has a bad international press - when it has one because of the things that are done or threatened in Hong Kong.

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Now overall, when people look at Hong Kong from elsewhere, from other places around the world, they see one of the greatest cities in the world, they see one of the greatest economic forces in Asia or in the world, they see a free society and they see a decent society and they see a society, still, in which they want to invest, they see a society which they think can teach them some lessons. You look at the European press - full of articles by people saying what can we learn from Hong Kong? I want things to stay that way. I'm sure everybody wants things to stay that way. And the best way of ensuring that things stay that way is by making certain that Hong Kong stays this way: a very free society, as free as anywhere in Asia, but also a very stable society and a very prosperous society.

But having disagreements from time to time doesn't, I think, itself, do any lasting damage. And I hope that whatever the disagreements that there may be over the next few weeks or months, if there are any, we can all remember that what has made Hong Kong such a successful and great place is what we have to hold on to and what we have to defend and protect in the years ahead.

That was more than I meant to say. I said two. The very last one.

Question: Do you see that there is still continuity even that not all the principal officials can stay in office?

Governor: I have answered two or three questions on that and I don't think I can very usefully add anything to what I have said. I repeat, I have had the great fortune of working with an outstanding team of civil servants, led by Mrs Chan, but very good civil servants at every level, and I hope that Mr Tung will have the same support from a very fine public service.

End