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Transcript of remarks by CE and POs under Accountability System (1) (with video)
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    Following is the transcript (English portion) of the press conference by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, and the new team of Principal Officials under the Accountability System at the Conference Hall at CGO New Annexe this morning (June 23):

Reporter: What were your criteria when you chose these new members and by introducing members  that previously have no experience in government or public service, what kind of new element are you trying to introduce to this Cabinet?

Chief Executive: I have explained on several occasions during my election campaign and after the election campaign the people that I was looking for. They have to be patriotic. They have to have a strong passion to serve the people of Hong Kong, to love Hong Kong and most of all they accept the manifesto that I have given to the Hong  Kong people, the pledges I have made to the Hong Kong people and an ability to deliver those promises. You can see in front of you a team of people who will do exactly that. Every one of them has considerable experience in their own field. Even those who are appointed from the private sector have experience in the public sector service for many years - like Professor Chan for instance. He has served on many committees of Hong Kong Government and has been one of our most experienced advisers particularly in the fields of the securities market and finance.

     They are all well-chosen people for their own personal qualities, for their experience. I have every confidence they will deliver their best to the people of Hong Kong.

Reporter:  To your list of words beginning with P, let's add the word Priorities. In terms of the new ideas and the new initiatives you mentioned, what are the priorities, the things you really want to see accomplished over the next five years - specifically?

Chief Executive: I have explained quite clearly what I wanted to do in my manifesto, particularly in the five areas. We must maintain Hong Kong's development as an international global financial centre, maintain the impetus of infrastructural development while preserving our environmental qualities and preservation of our heritage. That's our first priorities. Then there's the question of making sure the quality of life in Hong Kong will continue to improve - ranging from the quality of air, the food we eat, the community we live in. We also have to work hard to work on the poor, making sure the standard of living will continue to improve; that there will be no continuous and incorrigible poverty in the community. There is also the question of human resources. We will continue to improve our human resources by continuous investment in education and a very liberal immigration policy. That as well a very robust public health policy, making sure the economic lifespan of each and every citizen will be prolonged.  And finally, I have the promise to Hong Kong people which I made very seriously that I will endeavour to deliver universal suffrage in the election of the Chief Executive and election of the legislature in the coming five years. Those areas of work represent the priorities of my administration which will be delivered by myself and my team.

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

(to be continued)

Ends/Saturday, June 23, 2007
Issued at HKT 13:43

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