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Following is the transcript of a media session given by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, after attending a conference on public private partnership today (May 29):

Reporter: Are you saying that there are doubts on the economic viability of the South Island Line?

Dr Liao: There has always been careful evaluation of what is feasible and what are the cost benefits to the community at large. We still need more scientific proof to show that this particular railway line, the timing of it, the cost of it, is going to be a sustainable transport decision.

Reporter: That is a question mark?

Secretary: It has always been a question mark. We have never made up our mind on it.

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

Ends/Saturday, May 29, 2004

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