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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 after the second high-level meeting under the "Coordination Mechanism for the HKSAR's Participation in the Restoration and Reconstruction in Sichuan" today (May 27):
Reporter: Are you worried that the quality of works in Sichuan not being up to standard? How will Hong Kong ensure that will not happen?
Chief Secretary for Administration: The National Development and Reconstruction (Reform) Commission (NDRC) has already issued standards as far as building of new construction projects are concerned in the earthquake affected area. The standards are very high as some of them go well beyond No.8 on the Richter scale. I'm confident that the standards are very good. As far as we are concerned, we are duty-bound to ensure that all projects that are supported by the reconstruction project of Hong Kong will be built to the standards that are set out. We have a set of mechanism that will ensure that these standards are met. I want to emphasize again: we are empathetic to all victims of the earthquake, that they all want to go home as quickly as possible. That is very easily understood. We will facilitate and support every measure that will speed up the process without any compromise on quality and standard.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:08
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