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Following is the transcript of the remarks by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, at a media session at the airport tonight (August 25):
Chief Secretary for Administration: We have been overwhelmed by grief in the past three days. Tonight, we receive with heavy hearts the victims of this tragedy and their families back from the Philippines. I would like to thank all those who have helped the victims and their families: I would like to thank our state leaders; colleagues from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Hong Kong SAR Government and the many professionals who have worked days and nights.
I would like to thank the medical staff in the Philippines for their professional assistance and also the Philippine authorities for arranging the rapid transfer of the bodies to Hong Kong.
I would like to thank you, the media, for bringing us the most updated news about this incident. I would also like to thank the international community for their concern and for their condolences.
Just now, I have met my fellow citizens on the plane and I have conveyed to them the deepest concern of the Central Government and Hong Kong SAR Government. Hong Kong people would always stand by their side. The Government will spare no effort in providing whatever assistance they require. We also wish to see victims who are still in the Philippines, Mrs Leung and her son, come home early and get well.
The Government announces that Hong Kong will observe three minutes of silence in mourning at 8am tomorrow morning. I call on all Hong Kong people to join us to observe the three minutes of silence at 8am tomorrow morning.
We will continue to urge the Philippine Government to conduct comprehensive, thorough and impartial investigation into the incident. The truth is the best consolation to the victims and to their families, and to the community of Hong Kong. The Government stands ready to offer our full assistance and support to the Philippine authorities during the course of investigation.
We fully understand the public's grave concerns over the investigation. The Hong Kong Government will convey to the Philippine authorities through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Central People's Government issues that we think should be addressed in the investigation. The President of the Philippines has promised to the Chief Executive and Ambassador Mr Liu Jianchao to conduct a fair and full investigation of the incident and provide the report to Hong Kong people as soon as possible.
In order to facilitate a fair and thorough understanding of the incident, we believe it is imperative that the investigation report should at least cover a detailed account of the whole incident; and a detailed account of the causes of death and injuries.
We shall request that the report should be done in the most impartial, thorough and professional manner, and therefore will request the Philippine authorities through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Central People's Government to substantiate the report.
We will soon be writing through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Central People's Government to the Philippine Government to ask for the above to be included in the investigation report and for the report of this tragic incident to be made available as soon as possible.
The Philippine community in Hong Kong also share our grief and our sorrow. Various Philippine organisations have expressed their deepest condolences to the families of the victims.
Looking ahead, let us continue our mutual respect and our mutual support, and may we all live in harmony.
Reporter: ... the ceremony just now and did you think the family found it appropriate?
Chief Secretary for Administration: Sorry I didn't hear that.
Reporter: Why did the Government have all the ceremony just now and did the family members find the ceremony appropriate?
Chief Secretary for Administration: We have consulted all the family members to give them a ceremony first to receive them back home, and secondly to express our grief and the condolences in a dignified manner to all those who have deceased. I went up to the plane, I spoke to the family members, the surviving members and the injured ones, many of them are very emotional. I fully share their grief, and I fully share their emotions. I told them that Hong Kong Government would provide all the support services to them, and would continuously care for those who are in need. But I still believe that a full, comprehensive, thorough, and impartial report is the best condolences and the best closure for this whole tragic incident. Thank you very much
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Issued at HKT 23:05
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