Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, at a media session at the Legislative Council Complex today (October 23):

Reporter: Mr Lee, would the Government actually provide the evidence that the Taiwanese authority has been requesting for years so that they have the enough evidence to prosecute?     

Secretary for Security: The Hong Kong authorities have been all the while in making efforts to assist the Taiwanese authority in their investigation. But everything must be done in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong and under our legal framework. In one of our letters which was sent to the Taiwanese authority, we did explain at that time that the request for information was made at a time when the proceeding in Hong Kong against the accused was already in progress. So we have to examine all the legal implications before we could consider what we could do. But after this case has been concluded and as the accused has already indicated that he would surrender, we will of course be offering what is possible under our legal system, under our law, the information that is requested by the Taiwanese authority. But one thing which is very important is that the accused person has already indicated his willingness to surrender and it should be handled quickly without hindrance, so that justice is done. This changing position every now and then is making up accusations against another government and does no good to ensuring the justice is done in this case. That is why I urge the Taiwanese government to see how they can accept the accused person surrender, giving the best facilitation, rather than laying all the hurdles and restrictions, in regard to his surrender.         

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

Ends/Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Issued at HKT 15:11

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