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Following is the transcript (English portion) of the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, after visiting the shuttle bus terminus outside the MTR University Station and Hong Kong Jockey Clubˇ¦s Equine Hospital this afternoon (June 20):
Reporter: Mr Tang, you may know that the Beijing oil prices have been increased, which is going to have great impacts on the local economy. Is there anything that the Government can do?
Chief Secretary for Administration: As far as the oil prices are concerned, it is of course a worldwide phenomenon. Hong Kong being a market economy, we do not provide any subsidy to oil, whether it is petrol or diesel. The Government is considering the tradeˇ¦s request to reduce the (duty on) diesel Euro V down to zero and we are reviewing that situation now. We will revert as soon as possible.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Friday, June 20, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:15
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