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Following is the transcript of the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr Henry Tang, speaking to the media today (May 10) after meeting with representatives of the Hong Kong Jewellery Manufacturers' Association on the jewellery show in Las Vegas:
Reporter: ........
SCIT: Ever since the beginning of SARS, the Government have been proactive and focused on targeting show organisers, exhibition organisers and giving them our latest information with a view that they would give fair treatment to our exhibitors. We have some successful examples, but there are some failures. It depends on each individual exhibitor, the organiser. In this case, we feel that the action is unnecessary and unreasonable because we have not exported, the WHO is satisfied that we have not exported SARS patients in recent time. And also, the cases are now becoming less and less. So I believe that the day of containment will be here some time, we are still very much focused on containing the virus. So I think it is an over-reaction that it is not necessary and also not reasonable.
Report: ... they will reconsider the decision?
SCIT: The show organisers are headquartered in England. Our Economic and Trade Office in London has contacted the organiser's headquarters and they would now reconsider their decision and would come back to us on Monday. We hope that they would be able to come up with a compromise solution that is acceptable to both parties.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)
End/Saturday, May 10, 2003
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