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Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, to the media at the Central Government Offices at noon today (June 25):

Reporter:  You have recommended a CS candidate to the Central Government today. Can you reveal the details and what are the qualities of the CS?

Chief Executive:  I made a recommendation to the Central Government today on the appointment of the Chief Secretary for Administration. It is inappropriate for me to reveal the name of the person before the Central Government has a chance to consider my recommendation. The qualities I expect from the person who will be doing the job of the Chief Secretary are as follows.  First of all he must be patriotic; he must love Hong Kong. Second he must have very high abilities to be able to do a job of great demand, able to command the respect of the population at large; and able to administer a huge organisation like the Hong Kong Government ? 160,000 people. At the same time he must be able to work in a very co-ordinating and co-operative fashion with me as my number two.

Reporter:  I believe you are counting quite a bit on CEPA (Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement) to speed up integration and the economic co-operation with the Mainland. I was talking to some companies, a middle-sized Hong Kong-based company, for example, was trying to make it work for them, and they are delivering quite a bit.  For each delivery, small, middle and large one, they need to hand in a new CEPA application. That takes one or two weeks to come back. Then they still have to deal with Customs at the border. Why isn't it possible to hand out one company CEPA licence, at least a product line-related CEPA licence for a year and cut all these red tape out?

Chief Executive: If what you have said is true, there is something we should look into. Thank you very much for telling me.

Reporter: I know you can't reveal who you have nominated as Chief Secretary but can you say Mr Hui is an ideal candidate to be the next Chief Secretary and do you think China will approve your nomination?

Chief Executive: I think there is no need for you to probe me further into it. I have said all I can as regards the appointment of the Chief Secretary for Administration. I will say it again. It is inappropriate for me to reveal the name of the person until it has been fully considered by the Central Government. I think it is basic courtesy.

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

Ends/Saturday, June 25, 2005
Issued at HKT 14:41

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