CE's transcript on new ExCo members

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Following is the transcript (English portion) of the media session by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, on the appointment of new members to the Executive Council (ExCo) at the Conference Hall at CGO New Annexe at noon today (October 12):

Question: Mr Tung, What do you hope to achieve by inviting these two members into ExCo, and why have you not invited any Democratic Party members?

Chief Executive: Laura has a legal background and she has worked for a long time in the financial and securities sector, including serving in key posts both in Hong Kong and the Central Government's securities regulatory bodies. She shares a good knowledge of the industry and she understands very well, not just the local and regional industry, but also internationally, the financial markets. So with her wealth of knowledge, I am quite sure she will be a very valuable addition to ExCo.

Bernard, of course, is from the Insurance Functional Constituency, working very hard in LegCo. He has also made a tremendous contribution to the community in other different areas. For instance he is the Chairperson of Hong Kong Council of Social Service, and Chairman of the Standing Committee on Disciplined Services Salaries and Conditions of Service. So these are very important contributions he has been making to the community. With his joining the ExCo, he will be able to give us different voices, different views on some of the very important issues we are facing today.

Question: Mr Tung, you didn't answer my second question. Why did you not invite any democrats into ExCo? Wasn't that the original plan?

Chief Executive: As I said earlier on, I do not want to comment on individuals at all. It is important for me to emphasise that we want to work very closely with the democrats. We look forward to working together with them to ensure Hong Kong's long-term stability and prosperity and the long-term interests of Hong Kong. I am sure we will have regular meetings and we will work together. This will be our intention.

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

Ends/Tuesday, October 12, 2004

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