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The following is the English transcript of a meet-the-media session by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, this (August 4) afternoon after he had visited a youth centre in Hung Hom.

Reporter: Mr Tung, would you please repeat in English what you have just said, and why you come today to visit this centre?

Mr Tung: I stated that the economy is recovering very strongly but not all members of the community are benefiting from this recovery because it does take time for this effect to filter down. But the fact is that all the figures show the economy is growing strong and it will be sustainable and therefore we are very confident that the benefit will eventually filter down and it will not take too long.

I have the opportunity to visit two homes, two families, as well as this youth centre. And the purpose of the visit is really to try to get a better understanding of the livelihood of the low income group of citizens of Hong Kong. I hope this will help me and my colleagues in formulating our policies for the future. But I had found out that the two families that I visited, both focused very much on the education for the next generation. To me, like all the other families in Hong Kong, we are all very interested in better education for our younger generation. Because at the end of the day it is education which is going to help people to get out of poverty to improve the quality of life.

I had also seen single parents, talked with them and I had spoken with the youths here. I was deeply touched by the fact that they all take time-out to do voluntary work. It is a tremendous spirit that makes Hong Kong work and I hope that the whole of Hong Kong will continue to move forward in that kind of spirit of giving. Thank you very much.

Chief Executive's transcript (Chinese Part)

End/Friday, August 4, 2000

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