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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: I just want to ask because your name has appeared in the newspaper for quite a while and many people question that you were only a D4 at directorate grade but now it seems you have parachuted to head of bureau. I wonder, given your experience and it seems you didn't have too much experience in environment portfolio as well, how are you going to co-operate with other civil servants or other members of the team which seem to be more senior to you, quite a few?
Secretary for the Environment (designate): It's a fair question and fair comment that I have no experience in being a principal official. What I can count on is the 26 years of civil service experience which have given me quite a lot of exposure to different policy areas and also tremendous opportunities to work with members of the civil service and also members of the public. Environmental protection or promoting a better living environment is certainly a very major area, not only in the minds of people in Hong Kong, but also a major policy agenda of Mr Tsang in the new government. What I can pledge is to work in three main areas. One, I will continue to count on my civil service colleagues who will be diligent and professional in providing their input and support. Secondly, I think we have a lot of opportunity whereby we have to work with environmental groups, NGOs, academia, who are interested and helpful in offering their advice. Last, but not the least, I think as the Chief Executive has said, this team will have to reach out, to hear what the people say, what the people want and how to shape our environmental policy. I believe these are the strengths that I have to build up in doing a better job.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
(to be continued)
Ends/Saturday, June 23, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:37
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