Transcript of remarks by CS at media session (with video)

Transcript of remarks by CS at media session (with video)
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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session at the lobby of West Wing, Central Government Offices, Tamar, today (September 29):

Reporter: Mrs Lam, the current protest, there seems to be no end in sight. It's now stretched to other districts in Hong Kong, around Hong Kong. So how would you describe the current protest and will the Government be willing to consider a new round of consultations?

Chief Secretary for Administration: Well, of course we are very concerned about the present situation. As you have rightly pointed out, it is no longer just an "Occupy Central" movement. It has taken place in other districts and caused obstruction to vehicles, to pedestrians and also disruption in terms of the daily activities. But I have to stress that it remains our most important objective to achieve universal suffrage in the selection of the Chief Executive in 2017, and we will work according to that objective. It would not be entirely realistic to expect us to reverse the whole decision of the National People's Congress Standing Committee.

Reporter: When do you think is the right time for the next round of consultations, Mrs Lam?

Chief Secretary for Administration: I don't have an exact date for the time being. I think what is important is we have to monitor the situation closely and find the right timing, the right opportunity, the right atmosphere for us to engage with different stakeholders in society in order to achieve the objective of the second-round consultation. The objective of the second-round public consultation is to adhere to the framework as laid down by the National People's Congress Standing Committee, but to fill in the very important details about the electoral arrangements for the selection of the Chief Executive. And I think it is far more constructive for us to undertake this important piece of work when we have settled down for a while the sentiments that we are now seeing in society. Thank you very much.

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

Ends/Monday, September 29, 2014
Issued at HKT 20:58

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