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Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, at a media session at the lobby of the Central Government Offices (West Wing) today (February 1):
Reporter: Has the Central Government asked the SAR Government for any kind of assistance?
Chief Secretary for Administration: We have contacted the Central People's Government and they will liaise and discuss with the disaster relief agency how best for us to help them, so pending their response we will action accordingly.
Reporter: What is the SAR's budget towards providing financial aid to the Central Government? Would any of the money go to project that ensure stable food supply to Hong Kong?
Chief Secretary for Administration: We are confident that the people of Hong Kong will support any government action including monetary assistance to the Mainland for disaster relief, so we will use either our existing channels or (other channels) subject to the approval of Finance Committee. I'm sure the people of Hong Kong will support us. As far as the supply of food is concerned, we are very grateful to the people of the Mainland as well as the Government in the Mainland that they are trying their best to ensure we have a steady supply of food. But I also urge our people to be more understanding in these circumstances, that despite their difficulties they're still trying very hard to give us a steady supply of food. So I urge our people first to be understanding that prices may fluctuate and supply may fluctuate, but at the same time they may consider buying foodstuff from other sources so that we might provide the Mainland some relief on food supply.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Friday, February 1, 2008
Issued at HKT 14:42
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