Following is the transcript of Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Frederick Ma, speaking to the media after taking a VIP ride to Ngong Ping Village today (December 22)(English portion):

Reporter: Are you excited about the relaunch?

SCED: Yes. I am very excited. I am most delighted to join the first ride up to Ngong Ping. Our MTR colleagues have done a lot to improve the overall operation of Ngong Ping 360. And I really encourage every citizen of Hong Kong and every tourist to take the ride because the scenery is beautiful. And it is a very smooth ride.

Reporter: How are you going to convince them (citizens and tourists) to take the ride? What do you think about the ride?

SCED: I think the ride is fantastic. The ride is very smooth. I am convinced that our citizens and our tourists will come back to enjoy this wonderful ride very soon.

Reporter: What would you say to reassure people who
still have a bit of insecurity about the ride?

SCED: I think that they will be convinced later as they see that the ride is very safe, as certified by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department. MTR has done a lot of improvement work. So I think time will tell. I am convinced that this would become one of the most popular, if not the most popular, tourist spots.

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

Ends/Saturday, December 22, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:25

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