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Following is the transcript (English part) of a stand-up session by the Financial Secretary, Mr Antony Leung, after officiating at the opening ceremony of the AXA Asia Life Regional Centre today (October 18):

Reporter: Are there any plans to ask senior Government officials to have a pay cut?

Financial Secretary: I think as far as this issue is concerned, our various colleagues, including the Chief Secretary and the Secretary for the Civil Service, have provided ample answers, so I'm not going to add anything to that.

(Please also refer to the Chinese transcript)

End/Thursday, October 18, 2001

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