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Following is the transcript (English portion) of the media stand-up given by the Acting Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, after officiating at the Opening Ceremony of the Chinese University of Hong Kong Phase V Redevelopment Project today (December 9):
Reporter : Mr Tsang, can you explain what the Government's decision is in relation with civil servant's salary ? Do you think the Government will be considering special pay cut?
Mr Tsang : I've just said that it's perhaps important for us not to speculate on the question of salary reduction. The most important thing to realise that is to address the question of deficit. We have to approach it on a broad front. That is finding ways to stimulate the economy, to raise revenue and to save spending. On the question of saving Government spending, we have to talk to staff patiently, explaining to them the causes of the present problem and to produce a commonly accepted venue of answers. I think that is the way how we are approaching.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)
End/Monday, December 9, 2002
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