TNAG-2392-FCO40-3478-Appointment-of-Chris-Patten-as-new-Governor-of-Hong-Kong--Ap-1992 — Page 15

24-APR-1992 16:46

FCO NEWS DEPT

24-7 IN

FOREIGN SECRETARY

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INT NEWSNIGHT

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24 APRIL 1992

071 270 3734

P.04

undoubted political authority, vis a vis Peking and vis a vis

London, and that they have.

INTERVIEWER:

What misgivings do you have about Hong Kong's prospects during Chris Patten's Governorship and indeed after it has reverted to

China?

FOREIGN SECRETARY:

We have to protect the interests of Hong Kong, that is something

that they expect and asked us to do, but we also have to try and

do that without causing the commotions and the blows to confidence

which they also particularly fear, They want us to do both those

things, it will not be easy, it has not been easy for David

Wilson, but we have to try and do both those things by cooperating

increasingly with the Chinese while showing to the Chinese that

Hong Kong as it now is, a capitalist Hong Kong with growing free

institutions, is actually the Hong Kong which will best suit

China.

QUESTION:

Do you think it would be a neat swap if you stayed Foreign

Secretary for five years and Chris Patten could come back from

Hong Kong and take over your job?

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