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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (February 18):
Chief Executive: On the Manila hostage-taking incident, I wish to reiterate that the four demands of the victims and their families are fully justified. The Hong Kong SAR Government will continue to seek a satisfactory response from the Philippine side. It was with this objective in mind that we implemented the first phase of sanctions with effect from the 5th of February. The only outstanding issue in our discussions with the Philippine side is over the demand for an apology. On this, I must put the record straight. The victims and their families are not demanding and have never demanded a personal apology from the Philippine President for the criminal act committed by an individual as some have alleged. They are seeking an apology from the Philippine Government for the failure and lapses of their officials in handling the rescue operation, during which eight Hong Kong residents lost their lives and seven others sustained injuries. In other words, they demand an apology that is consistent with the findings of the official investigation commissioned by the Philippine Government.
Our position has been clear and consistent. The door to further discussions between the two sides remains open and the ball is in the Philippines' court. I urge the Philippine Government to demonstrate sincerity and resolve in bringing the discussion to a satisfactory conclusion so that we do not have to implement further sanctions.
Reporter: Could you comment on Sunday's protest, where a group protested against Mainland tourists coming to Hong Kong? Clearly Hong Kong people are very upset. It's too crowded. What do you think should be done? Will the Government consider reducing the number, or a limit on how many people can come to Hong Kong?
Chief Executive: The actions taken by a group of people on Canton Road a couple of days ago only represented a very small section of the community. The community at large realises that tourism is a major sector of the economy and it provides a large number of job opportunities, particularly for the lower skilled workers in Hong Kong. We fully appreciate the pressures that have been brought on certain districts in Hong Kong as a result of the large number of tourists coming to Hong Kong, and that's why a couple of years ago, as soon as the Hong Kong Government realised that Guangdong would implement a policy that would allow non-registered residents in Shenzhen to come to Hong Kong on multiple entry arrangements, with the support of the Central Government and the support of the Guangdong authorities, we stopped that policy.
Similarly, we haven't added onto the list of 49 cities amongst all 600 cities on the Mainland. We haven't added onto the list where these cities would allow their residents to come to Hong Kong on multiple visits policy. So these are demonstrations of the realisation of Hong Kong Government of the need to manage the number of tourists coming to Hong Kong. We will continue to do that. At the same time we will increase the supply or the availability of tourist-related facilities in Hong Kong. One very good example is the construction of large shopping facilities on the man-made island that will be part of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. So these are very clear examples as to how we manage the demand and increase supply at the same time. Thank you.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Issued at HKT 12:02
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