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The following is issued on behalf of the Executive Council Secretariat:
On the announcement by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, today (October 14) about the appointment of eight new members to the Executive Council, non-official member Mr Leung Chun-ying, who is now attending a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Chinese Peopleˇ¦s Political Consultative Conference in Beijing, issued the following statement:
"On behalf of all my non-official colleagues of the Executive Council, I would like to extend our warmest welcome to all new members whose appointments to the council have just been announced by the Chief Executive.
"The new appointees are all leading members of their respective fields with a long and distinguished record of public service. Their appointments will no doubt enhance the effectiveness of the council in assisting the Chief Executive in policy-making.
"I look forward to working closely with them in the council to discharge our duties according to the Basic Law and work for the overall interests of the Hong Kong community.
ˇ§Also I am grateful to the Chief Executive for inviting me to become Convenor of the non-official members of the council. Under his leadership, I will work closely together with all incumbent and new non-official members to assist him in a concerted effort to further Hong Kongˇ¦s interests."
Ends/Friday, October 14, 2005
Issued at HKT 17:37
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