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MR CHRIS PATTEN

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DOORSTEP LONDON 29 JULY 1993

J

QUESTION:

do

For those non-ethnic Chinese in Hong Kong there was the view that

they should speak up or should apply for Chinese citizenship,

you have the same view now?

MR PATTEN:

That was an issue which I remember was raised with Director Lu

Ping a few months ago when a delegation I think representing the

Indian Chamber of Commerce visited Paking and Director Lu Ping

made some comments about the question of citizenship and the

definition of nationality after 1997. I think those are issues

which do still require a little more clarification and I hope we

will be able to do that through the Joint Liaison Group because

they are issues on which we need to shed a good deal more light.

QUESTION:

On Martin Lee's court case, the difficulty he is having finding

Chinese solicitors in Hong Kong to represent him, did you raise

your concerns about that?

MR PATTEN:

No I did not because it is not a matter for the government, but I

have expressed before, and I express again one very simple

proposition, it is extremely important to the future stability and

prosperity of Hong Kong that we secure the rule of law and I hope

that among those who believe in the rule of law are the legal

profession.