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Following is a transcript of a stand-up briefing by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao today (October 30):

Reporter: About the merger....

SETW: The government has not really formulated any opinion on whether to go ahead with the merger or not. We are open-minded, we are studying the details and waiting for the consultancy report to do further analysis before we come to a view.

Reporter: (question inaudible)

SETW: KCRC is entitled to their own opinion. To the government, we would consider all comments and that would be part of our analysis on whether a merger should go ahead. However, as I always said, the most important thing is whether it will be for the good of the entire people of Hong Kong.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion)

End/Wednesday, October 30, 2002

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