THE Governor sought yesterday to boost young people's sagging confidence in the territory's future after 1997.
Reacting to an opinion poll which showed a high number of students were worried about the change of rule, Chris Patten urged them to be confident.
Legislative Council elections at the weekend showed there was a commitment to retaining values such as freedom which had provided the basis for Hong Kong's success, he said. Mr Patten repeated a call he made to Hong Kong students in Canada to return after 1997 to 'make their lives', which would be a sign of success for the administration to be installed under Chinese rule.
The students should contribute to the community by living here rather than remaining overseas, he said.
'I think that's a challenge for all of us and one which I hope we can rise to.' Mr Patten's comments were made at the end of a tour to meet students at the international school, Li Po Chun United World College, and the Jockey Club Ti-I College in Sha Tin.
A recent survey of 12 to 15-year-old students in 37 secondary schools found 30 per cent were worried about 1997, according to the Learner-Teachers Association which reported a growing level of anxiety.
