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CS speaks on rowdy protest(with photo/video)
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     Following is a transcript of remarks by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, at a media session at the Central Government Offices today (March 2):

Reporter: What's your views on what happened yesterday? As a result of what happened yesterday, will security be stepped up, beefed up, especially among government officials?

Chief Secretary for Administration: The incident yesterday was totally unacceptable and needs to be strongly condemned. We are a civil society, we have core values that uphold the freedom of expression and also the respect for other people's freedom. The incident yesterday is now being handled by the Police and will be treated according to the law.

Reporter: Are you also concerned that the violence so far has spread from inside the chamber to outside the chamber?

Chief Secretary for Administration: We have seen that this unacceptable behaviour has spread from the Legislative Council chamber into the community. I believe it sets a very bad example for our students, because they will very much question their teachers, that if it is acceptable in the community, if it is acceptable in the Council, why is it not acceptable in schools? I think it sets a very bad example for our students, for our next generation, and that's why we strongly condemn this spread of violent behaviour.

Reporter: What do you think the protests becoming more and more violent?

Chief Secretary for Administration: I would not want to guess why they have chosen more violent techniques. I only urge everyone that freedom of expression is enshrined in the Basic Law and that this freedom is strongly protected by all the relevant authorities. I subscribe to it, I value it, I treasure it and I would not want to see any erosion of such. And I believe the recent behaviour challenges these core values.

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

Ends/Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Issued at HKT 14:57

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