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Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, at a media session today (September 2) on the early retirement of the Honourable Chief Justice, Mr Andrew Kwok-nang Li:
Chief Executive: As you know I have accepted the early retirement of Chief Justice Andrew Li. He will start his pre-retirement leave on September 1, 2010.
Chief Justice Li became the first CJ of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on July 1, 1997. He will have served in his position for 13 years by August, 2010 when he leaves office.
He told me his intention to retire early on Tuesday last week. I tried hard on two occasions to convince him to stay but I was not successful. Eventually, I have to respect his firm decision to leave.
Under the Basic Law, the National People's Congress authorised the Special Administrative Region to exercise a high degree of autonomy and enjoy executive, legislative and independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication.
Chief Justice Li has made invaluable contribution to the high regard our legal system, the rule of law and the protection of people's rights and freedoms, as prescribed by the Basic Law, are being held by the people of Hong Kong and the international community.
Chief Justice Li is also instrumental in the success of the Judiciary in enhancing its professionalism, transparency and service efficiency. The community and I are grateful for his distinguished service. And I wish him a long and happy early retirement.
I have asked the Judiciary to start the procedures immediately to fill the vacancy of the Chief Justice in accordance with the Basic Law and other relevant legal provisions. I trust that Chief Justice Li will work closely with the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission in the next few months and recommend a successor.
I'll take a few questions.
Reporter: The Chief Justice is retiring quite early at the age of 61, what is your reaction?
Chief Executive: The Chief Justice explained very carefully and very fully the reason for his decision to retire early. I trust him and I believe in those reasons and I will not speculate. And I respect his decision.
Reporter: Do you have a successor in mind? Will he or she be selected within or outside of the judiciary?
Chief Executive: This will be a matter for the recommendation by the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission. This is what is said under the Basic Law, to be undertaken by an independent commission. My job will be to receive the recommendation and to approve it and put it to the Legislative Council for endorsement. This is a procedure laid down in the Basic Law. It is early and it will not be useful and it's not helpful for us to speculate. We must leave the job to the independent commission. Thank you very much.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:13
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