TNAG-2598-FCO40-3786-Appointment-of-Chris-Patten-as-new-Governor-of-Hong-Kong--Ap-1992 — Page 37

DIOCESE OF SALFORD

Tel: 061-794 2825

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WARDLEY HALL,

WORSLEY,

MANCHESTER,

M28 5ND.

Day Folder then

pa

12th June, 1992

The Rt. Hon. Christopher Patten,

47, Morpeth Mansions,

Morpeth Terrace,

London SW1P 1ET.

Dear Mr Patten,

ur

I should like to offer my congratulations on your appointment as Governor of Hong Kong. Your appointment as Governor by the British Government is indeed welcomed by the whole Catholic Church in this country.

I would like to propose a meeting, at your convenience, in order to discuss certain issues, before your departure for Hong Kong. I suggest that such a meeting might give you advance knowledge of Catholic perspectives in Hong Kong, since I would suggest that I would be accompanied by Edmond Tang, a Chinese Catholic with links to both the CCBI and ourselves, along with two or staff members. If it is impossible for me personally to fit in with the demands of your diary I hope it will be acceptable for one of the Bishops based in the London area to take my place.

The Bishops of the Department for International Affairs of our Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales recently issued the enclosed statement concerning some of the issues relating to Hong Kong that should concern us here.

In particular I should like to highlight our concern over the following:

1.

2.

3.

The process and pace of democratisation in the colony.

The need to strengthen the quality and independence of institutions such as the judiciary

•

The situation of about 11,000 Hong Kong residents who are British Dependent Territory Citizens who are not of Chinese descent.

and the policy of the Chinese These are of importance to the

In addition to these points we are also concerned about human rights issues in China itself Government towards Catholics. future of Hong Kong as well.

cont./2