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Following is the transcript (English portion) of remarks made by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, at a media session in Guangzhou tonight (September 25):
Reporter: How would you describe the performance of some democrats¡K?
Chief Executive: I think that's not the case. I believe it was a very frank and candid exchange and Party Secretary Zhang has stated very clearly his own position and there was enough mutual respect on the matter. I think it was a very good start. And it is also important to clear our chest on matters of such importance. But what is more important is not on those discussions but rather what we have seen and whom we have met and particularly for those members who have not been here for over a decade. They see the developments which have taken place in the whole Pearl River Delta, in economic front, and hopefully in the education front here, and also on the social side as well tomorrow.
Reporter: ¡K tense atmosphere¡K?
Chief Executive: We didn't have a tense atmosphere. But anyway go on.
Reporter: Have you talked about with the Mainland leaders that allowing them (democrats) back in? So, when would they be allowed back in?
Chief Executive: Well, first of all, I won't portray what has happened as tense atmosphere. What we had was a rather very candid exchange and a very frank expression of individual opinions and also a statement by Party Secretary Zhang of the country's position, the national position on highly sensitive issues. I think it¡¦s a very good start. I didn't describe it as tense at all. It wasn't tense. It was a very friendly exchange. We did not avoid any questions. We covered all fronts, sensitive ones and also developmental issues which are very important to Hong Kong and to our nation as a whole. And I am sure it is a very good start. I am hoping that as I said, although this is the first time that we have all the Legislative Councillors coming together to the Mainland, I really hope it would not be the last time.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Sunday, September 25, 2005
Issued at HKT 23:02
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