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The following is a transcript of remarks (English portion) by the Acting Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, to the media in Boao, Hainan today (April 22):

I'm very happy to be here, to be able to see some of my journalistic friends in Hong Kong in Hainan. I just had a meeting with Chairman Jia (Qinglin) and we had a short chat and we talked about the latest events in Hong Kong -- about the social, political and economic conditions in Hong Kong that continue to improve despite the fact that Mr Tung resigned about a month ago. I am confident that the conditions in Hong Kong will continue to improve. We have some challenges ahead, but I'm sure with the dedication of the Hong Kong people and the resilience of the Hong Kong people, we will overcome them. Our immediate job is to prepare for the election of the Chief Executive on July 10. And Chairman Jia was very happy with what's happening in Hong Kong. He reassured us that the nation is totally committed to "One Country, Two Systems" and he was very enthusiastic about Hong Kong and was confident that Hong Kong will continue to prosper.

I will be making an address on Asian currency tomorrow and I will be meeting the Prime Minister of Australia, the former Foreign Minister of Japan, and also I'm seeing the Governor of the People's Bank of China as well as the Governor of Hainan, so I will be meeting you again tomorrow.

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

Ends/Friday, April 22, 2005

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