CS speaks on constitutional reform package (with photos/videos)

CS speaks on constitutional reform package (with photos/videos)
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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, at a media session at Tsuen Wan Town Hall after visiting households in Clague Garden Estate in Tsuen Wan tonight (June 10):

Reporter: Mr Tang, do you think that it is an effective method to contact the public through visiting the families and do you think it will increase the chance of creating chaotic situation when you visit?

Chief Secretary for Administration: First of all, I think it is our duty that we communicate directly with the community. Indeed, those who we have successfully contacted welcome the opportunity to have direct communication with Government officials. So I believe this is one way to show the Government's sincerity and our determination that the proposals that we have put forward is a democratic improvement and is in the right direction towards universal suffrage. As far as the protestors that we have encountered, we believe that it is important that there is mutual respect. Mutual respect in the sense that I respect the community's independent thinking and I respect their intelligence to make their own decisions, therefore those who are against the proposals should not be afraid that we have direct communication with the citizens, because they obviously are able to have direct contact with them, they should not be afraid that we have direct contact with them also. So the fact is that we have used Police Force to maintain order and to allow us the opportunity to have direct contact with the community. Thank you very much.

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

Ends/Thursday, June 10, 2010
Issued at HKT 23:35

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