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Following is a transcript of remarks (English portion) to reporters by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, after meetings on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. today (October 26, Washington time):
Chief Executive: Today is the beginning of my three-day working programme in Washington, D.C. I started my day attending a conference with the Business Roundtable represented by various large multinationals - many with investments in Hong Kong and Mainland China. And I had a very interesting meeting with officials from the world-renowned Cato Institute.
And then I came to Congress and met the Chairman of the House Committee on International Relations, Mr Henry Hyde, as well as other members of the committee. They expressed a very keen interest in the latest developments in Hong Kong, both on the political and economic fronts. And they were also interested in how we deal with avian flu, which they know we have expertise on the matter. In addition, they wanted to have an update on the ministerial meeting of the WTO to be held in Hong Kong in December.
These are very important and significant political figures and organisations in the United States, which directly and indirectly influence the relationship between Hong Kong and the United States, and perhaps the international impression of Hong Kong. I think it is important that we talk to them candidly, explaining to them the intentions behind major policies taken in Hong Kong, which have caught international interest - particularly the role of the Central Government in some of these policy issues.
I think these exchanges are very important and useful at dispelling unnecessary misconceptions about Hong Kong among leading figures in the American administration, Congress and the business sector.
As the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, a world city, I think it is my duty to perform this task.
Reporter: In talks at the Business Roundtable conference, did anyone raise questions about US economic relations with China and trouble the Americans are having with Beijing in this regard.
Chief Executive: We talked about the growing business opportunities in China. I particularly briefed them on the latest developments in the PRD. They are interested in some of the difficult areas, like intellectual property rights protection. I told them the advancements being made in this area, particularly in Hong Kong, and we share their concern.
I told them, for instance, that we secured a conviction against an individual who tried to transmit through the Internet using BitTorrent technology some films which are protected intellectual property. It was a major achievement, a landmark, among all common law jurisprudence. So that was welcome.
Reporter: Both of your predecessors met with the President. And you are scheduled to meet with the Vice President. Are you disappointed or do you see that as any sort of snub?
Chief Executive: Well, I am going to meet quite a number of politicians here while I am here, both in Congress and the administration. I am meeting the Vice President. I am meeting the Secretary of State. I am meeting other ministers as well. The President is going to Florida because of the storms. He cannot see me. That is the reason.
Reporter: Was the question of the need for more democratic reforms in Hong Kong raised in the meeting with the Congressional leaders, and if so, what did they say?
Chief Executive: I briefed them on the latest proposal we put to the Legislative Council, which represents a major advancement in our democratic arrangements in Hong Kong, particularly as regards to the elections in [2008] for the Chief Executive and 2007 for the legislature. These developments were welcome by my interlocutors, including chairman Hyde, I think who assured in front of all of you.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Thursday, October 27, 2005
Issued at HKT 10:46
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