****************************************************
Following is the speech (translation) made by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, this morning (May 8) at a ceremony in Shenzhen to receive medical supplies from the Central Government for the prevention of atypical pneumonia:
Honourable State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan, CPPCC Vice-Chairman Liao Hui, Governor Huang, Director Gao, Mayor Yu, ladies and gentlemen,
Not long ago, I briefed President Hu Jintao in Shenzhen on our battle against atypical pneumonia in Hong Kong. President Hu expressed his concern and stressed that the Central Government would provide full support to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, delivering the best medical supplies and providing the strongest backup.
After considering the situation and deliberating with my colleagues, I forwarded to the Central Government a request for the supply of protective outfits, face masks and goggles and the deployment of medical workers. The Central Government promptly acceded, and Premier Wen Jiabao specifically instructed that Hong Kong should be supplied with top quality medical supplies in the quantities required, and that all costs of such supplies and any future manpower support should be borne by the Central Government. Today, the first consignment of supplies has reached Hong Kong and will be put to immediate use to meet the needs of the people of Hong Kong.
Honoured leaders, ladies and gentlemen, it is with mixed feelings that I come to take possession of these supplies on behalf of Hong Kong. At this very moment, our Mainland compatriots are fighting an all-out battle against the same disease. Despite the urgent demand for such supplies in the Mainland, the Central Government has nevertheless made this sincere and tangible gesture of support to Hong Kong. These supplies do not only address our need for material resources, they also boost our spirits, encouraging Hong Kong people to carry on a tenacious struggle against the disease. On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and all Hong Kong citizens, I express our most profound gratitude and respect to President Hu Jintao, Chairman Jiang Zemin, Premier Wen Jiabao, the Central Government and all Mainland compatriots.
Over the past two months, we in Hong Kong have been fighting hard, and this unprecedented crisis has cost us dearly. However, it has stimulated our spirit of perseverance and mutual help as never before. With all Hong Kong people united as one, and with our medical workers in particular waging a courageous struggle, the number of new atypical pneumonia cases in Hong Kong is declining steadily. This does not mean, however, that we can now declare that the crisis is at an end. The situation is still grave and we cannot afford to let down our guard. We must continue with determination along the path we set out for ourselves two months ago, rigorously observing all precautions. We will strive to further reduce the number of new infections and to eliminate cross-infections, thereby restoring normal conditions of life, work and social order as soon as possible. We shall repay the support of the Central Government and the Mainland people with action and results.
Thank you.
End/Thursday, May 8, 2003
NNNN
