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Following is the transcript of remarks at a media session given by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Anson Chan, today (February 15) (English portion):

Mrs Chan: I would like to say a few words in English. First of all, I am delighted that the Central Government has accepted the Chief Executive's nomination and has appointed Mr Donald Tsang to be the next Chief Secretary for Administration. I think he is the ideal candidate for the job and I have no doubt he will make a very, very good Chief Secretary.

As you all know, Donald and I have worked side by side for over 30 years. I know him very well. I believe he is a person of high integrity, strong principles. He is very committed to the Civil Service and to the community. And I have no doubt that as the Chief Secretary, he would ably lead the Civil Service to maintain the best tradition and the core values of the Civil Service. He will provide every possible assistance to the Chief Executive and he will staunchly defend the freedoms and the rule of law that the community currently enjoy and value. I wish him every success in his new job.

As regards the appointment of Mr Antony Leung, I would want first of all on behalf of all my colleagues in the Civil Service to welcome Mr Leung into the Civil Service.

Mr Leung is of course no stranger to the SAR Government. He has participated in community affairs for many, many years. I recalled particularly that he and I worked very, very closely together and very happy together when we were both members of the Provisional Airport Authority. I think he can be assured of strong support from his very professional and competent team. I am sure everybody will do their best to make sure that he settles into his job as soon as possible. And I have no doubt that Mr Leung will rise to the challenge and will ably together with Mr Donald Tsang, support the Chief Executive in facing the challenges ahead.

Reporter: (Inaudible)

Mrs Chan: The first point I would make is, I think it is perhaps not totally surprising that some civil service unions would have some concern about an outsider being appointed to this very key post of Financial Secretary. Of course this isn't the first time that somebody from the private sector has been appointed as the Financial Secretary. As you know, John Bremridge joined us from the private sector before the handover and he was a very, very competent Financial Secretary who earned the respect and trust of the Civil Service.

I believe, personally, that an exchange of talents between the Civil Service and the private sector is a good thing. We can both learn from each other's expertise. Mr Leung has very rich experience in the private sector, whether as an administrator, and particularly in the financial sector. He has also served for many years on various committees. He is a current member of the Chief Executive's Executive Council. He has also chaired some very important committees, like the Education Commission.

I personally, myself, worked with Mr Leung in the past, particularly when we were both members of the Provisional Airport Authority, and I have to say that I was very impressed with his abilities and his willingness to work together with the Civil Service.

So at the end of the day, I think ultimately it depends on the quality of his leadership. I am sure that Mr Leung will rise to the challenge and that he will very soon demonstrate, through the quality of his leadership, that he is a person to be respected and that he will earn the trust and confidence of the community and the Civil Service.

Reporter: Mrs Chan, when you were contemplating your retirement, was this the kind of succession that you had in mind at the time? Has it worked out the way you hoped it would?

Secondly, as you've heard your successor being formally named, it must make things a bit more real. I am wondering how it feels to be counting down a career in weeks?

Mrs Chan: I haven't thought about that. I have a great deal of work in hand and I am concentrating all my energy on finishing those tasks. I have every confidence that the team of Donald Tsang and Antony Leung will provide very able support for the Chief Executive. There are many difficult problems and challenges facing the Civil Service and I believe that Mr Tung will receive very good support.

Reporter: Is this the kind of succession that you had in mind?

Mrs Chan: I don't think it is up to me to say that. I am not the Chief Executive.

Chief Secretary for Administration's transcript (Chinese portion.)

End/Thursday, February 15, 2001

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