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Following are the transcripts of the Financial Secretary, Mr Antony Leung, and several members of the Economic Relaunch Strategy Group, at the Central Government Offices this (May 23) evening:
FS: The Economic Relaunch Strategy Group met for the second time today and we are very pleased that while we were meeting we heard the very good news that the WHO has taken Hong Kong off its travel advisory. This is clearly the result of the joint efforts of the medical and healthcare workers, colleagues in the Government and the citizens of Hong Kong. At this point of time, we particularly are in memory of the medical workers who have sacrificed their lives for Hong Kong. Without their contribution we would not have the joy that we are enjoying today. The strategy group will accelerate its efforts in implementing the plan, the plan that has been discussed and adopted today. At this stage, we have to focus at least on two things. One is to communicate to Hong Kong people and to the world that Hong Kong is a safe city and through the collective efforts of our citizens and our colleagues we will make Hong Kong a safer and cleaner place. Secondly, through various activities we will encourage the citizens of Hong Kong to come out and resume their normal economic activities. Details of the plan are going to be introduced later at a briefing that I will conduct for all of you. But right now I would like to mention one thing. The plan that we have adopted today and the activities that we are going to launch are really the result of collective effort. We have received a lot of very valuable advice and input from all walks of life, and we welcome further advice as well as working closely with the entire community in implementing the plan that we have, and that is to relaunch Hong Kong.
Mr James Thompson, Chairman of American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong: I just want to say ,on behalf of the American community and I'm sure the entire international community, this is a very, very special day for us because we have been waiting now for a couple of months to be able to tell our colleagues in business and our citizens who come here as tourists that the green light has been given, it's time to come back and enjoy Hong Kong and do business in both Hong Kong and Southern China. So this is a very big day and we can't wait now to get the message out to all the citizens of the United States to tell them it's a good time to come back.
Mr Anthony Nightingale, Chairman of Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce: Speaking for the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, we too are very, very happy to see this WHO travel advisory lifted and now I think, yes, we must get the message out internationally so that all our contacts abroad feel that they can come and visit Hong Kong and it's a safe place again. But I hope too very importantly that this gives a message to the Hong Kong people, to the consumers of Hong Kong that they now can feel safer and more secure in their morale and go out and spend and do life as usual.
Mr Norman Lyle, Chairman of British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong: On behalf of the British business community, this is great news. We will be welcoming back British business associates and lots of tourists to Hong Kong. We have to promote the fundamental strengths of Hong Kong; they have not changed because of SARS. It is an ideal hub for doing business, an ideal place to come and visit, and we want to encourage people from the United Kingdom to come back here as soon as possible.
Mr Betrand Michaud, Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce : On behalf of the European Chamber of Commerce representing about 13 countries in Europe, I am very glad that Hong Kong is back in the mood for life, which is very important, and you can count on us to relay the message that Hong Kong is back on track. We are very, very happy. We also have a thought for the people who have been working in this country, especially the front-line medical staff, but also the Hong Kong people who have been very resilient in this difficult time. So, in the mood for life again. Thank you.
Mr Ryota Honjo, President of Hong Kong Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry: On behalf of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, we are very, very pleased with the WHO's decision. Investment from Japan in Hong Kong and China will start again, so we are very, very happy and we welcome the WHO's decision.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion.)
End/Friday, May 23, 2003
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