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The following is the transcript (English portion) of the media session by the Information Coordinator, Mr Stephen Lam, today (July 7):

Mr Lam: The Chief Executive has not given any signals to Dr Robert Chung Ting-yiu to request him to stop carrying out his opinion polls.

In Hong Kong, any persons, universities or other organisations are free to conduct opinion polls.

The HKSAR Government follows very closely opinion polls in Hong Kong. We consider them to be an important channel for reflecting public views on current issues.

Reporter: Did you talk to Mr Chung to find out what these "special channels" are?

Mr Lam: Well, it is not for us to help Dr Chung explain the position which he has stated.

Reporter: But would you contact Mr Chung to find out what these "special channels" that he mentioned are?

Mr Lam: We will try to gain a better understanding of the situation. But so far as we are concerned, today, I am here to make a clear statement on our position.

End/Friday, July 7, 2000

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