Transcript of remarks by CS at media session (with video)

Transcript of remarks by CS at media session (with video)
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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session at the Legislative Council Complex today (April 15):

Reporter: What's the purpose of the meetings ... and are you also like the Chief Executive confident that the reform package can be passed in LegCo?

Chief Secretary for Administration: I'm confident in the same way as the Chief Executive that we do have a good proposal that could meet and comply with the requirements as laid down in the National People's Congress Standing Committee decision made on the 31st of August last year. But I have to candidly admit that up till now we have not secured a single vote from amongst the 27 pan-democratic members. But we will continue to work very hard. As for the purpose of these meetings with the Legislative Council (members) over the next few days, first of all these meetings are very short meetings. I expect them to last 10 to 15 minutes. The purpose is really for me to personally make two points, or send two messages, to the Legislative Council members. One is there is simply no room for the National People's Congress Standing Committee's decision to be retracted, to be revised, or to be reversed. The decision will be upheld and will lay down the framework for the Government's proposal to be released shortly. So there should be no illusion that compromises or changes could be made to the NPCSC decision. The second message is I really want the Legislative Council members to take into full account public opinion. Up till now, despite many events that have taken place, I think we still have very consistent and solid public opinion in favour of passage of any government proposal that is based on the NPCSC decision in order to meet the public aspiration for universal suffrage and the selection of the Chief Executive in the year 2017.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Issued at HKT 15:33

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