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Following is the transcript of a media session given by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, at the Central Government Offices Main Wing lobby after his visit to two universities today (May 29):
Chief Executive: The medical researchers in Hong Kong are really some of the best here in Asia, the ones who unravelled the mystery of the Coronavirus, then made substantial headway in diagnostic tests, in treatment and in vaccine development. What I did this afternoon was to visit both the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong to talk to the Vice-Chancellors, to talk to the professors and those who are engaged in the research aspect. And I must say I came away pleased with not only the dedication, but also with the knowledge that they are really good in the forefront of the research. Much of their work is now being published in the international medical journals and signifies internationally we do have very good recognition by the international medical community as a whole. If we are going to successfully, totally control SARS, or eradicate SARS, we need the support of medical research. We need good diagnostic tests, we need good medical treatment as well as eventually a vaccine. In all three areas, the two universities are really working very hard.
On the 23rd of April, when I announced the $11.8 billion package to help the Hong Kong economy get going again, included in that is a $500 million amount that is earmarked for research work. This is very important to all of us to develop further our research capabilities, and I might add that this is in addition to the other $500 million which has been pledged by the Jockey Club to set up CDC as well as to fund research.
It is important for people to know that we are very close to the Pearl River Delta and very often infectious diseases can travel both ways. So it is important for us to be working very closely with the Mainland, even in the area of research, so of the $500 million which I have provided for medical research, I will earmark $50 million to encourage research on the Mainland. We are now working with the Central Government on the details of these arrangements and when these arrangements are finalised, I will obviously let everybody know.
Over the past six years, the Government has been emphasising the importance of education and the development of science and technology. I think visiting these two universities, looking at what they are doing in the area of medical research, I think the effort we have made, the investment we have made are really paying off.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)
End/Thursday, May 29, 2003
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