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Following is the transcript (English portion) of a media session given by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, after visiting the Southern district today (May 23):
Reporter: Mr Tung, can I just ask you is it fair to link Falungong with Jonestown tragedy? Secondly, is there any point in studying overseas legislation because that kind of legislation is aimed at preventing activities for which there is no evidence that Falungong is carrying out ?
Mr Tung: Well, let me say this. Whatever we are doing, the issue is not about religious freedom. Religious freedom is guaranteed here. It is not the issue. The issue is a social issue. It means that it is an issue of a cult, which has done damage on the Mainland of China, to the population. They may do damage here in Hong Kong in the future. I watch the issue very very closely. And as a Government, we will have to study all options that are available to us.
Reporter: Can you predict on the future of the Hong Kong economic situation ?
Mr Tung: We had a very strong growth last year, 10.5 per cent growth. I believe our economy will continue to grow. We have expected the economy to grow about 4 per cent this year. And obviously, every external economy, like ours, will be affected by what's happening around the world, and unfortunately, the economy in the U.S. and Japan are not doing very well, and our economy will be affected. I expect that we will be growing less than 4 per cent, may be 3 per cent, may be over 3 per cent. Our whole economy is continuing to go through an economic restructuring, but I think the worse is behind us and we are looking forward.
Thank you.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript)
End/Wednesday, May 23, 2001
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