Transcript of remarks by CS (with photo/ video)
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Reporter: What do you mean by some foreign media has bias about the jailing of three student activists? How can you convince the local youth that the Government is open to their voices, that’s why the three student leaders they admire have been sent to jail?
Chief Secretary for Administration: I think it is important to point out first of all that judicial independence is the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s success. It underpins Hong Kong’s present-day success, it is very important. We've got a fiercely independent judiciary in Hong Kong, and the due process has been observed in reaching the decision of the Court of Appeal, so it’s something beyond dispute. In fact, the Bar Association and the Hong Kong Law Society last night issued a joint statement categorically denying any link with outside factors, any factors other than the law, involved in the decision of the court. In other words, the decision of the court is entirely independent and in accordance with a due process. It's very important point to bear in mind. It is quite unusual for both Law Society and the Bar Association to come up with a very clear statement on that score.
The second thing is, the current administration attaches great importance to building communication and rapports with youngsters, with Hong Kong’s younger generation. We will, first of all, upgrade the Youth Commission into a Youth Development Commission. I will be chairing it myself. In fact, the idea is really to co-ordinate better Government’s response to youths' aspirations, requests and demands on all fronts. I am sure this would take us forward in terms of building relationship with our younger generation and also providing more opportunities for upward social mobility in the long term.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Saturday, August 19, 2017
Issued at HKT 14:51
Issued at HKT 14:51
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