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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, at a press session this afternoon (December 3) in Beijing:

Reporter: Earlier in the day, you met with Mr Hu. You are told, encouraged, to embrace the people ....., improve public services in Hong Kong. Is this a message that you are not good enough .......?

Chief Executive: As I said earlier on, after July 1, we have within the government done a lot of soul-searching as to how to do a better job, communicating with the people; as to how to listen to the views of the people more, so that we are sure that we do not expect people to accept as a matter of course any policy presented by the government, no matter how good they are. We need the support of the people. So, over the last few months, we have been doing this, and I have said to the President that we will continue this effort intensively in the days and months ahead.

Reporter: There has obviously been ......... from the democratic camp in Hong Kong for a directly elected Chief Executive by 2007. And now there is a campaign underway asking you not to appoint District Councilors......... Have you reflected these views to the leaders? What did they say about it?

Chief Executive: As I said earlier on, (regarding) the constitutional evolution, we are going to start a consultation process sometime next year. What ever is the outcome it will be in accordance with the Basic Law, and we will be moving ahead on that basis. In so far as the appointed members of the District Council are concerned, right at this moment or, perhaps, within an hour, government officials will be making a statement in the Legislative Council. So you would see the Government's position very clearly.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Wednesday, December 3, 2003

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