The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam; the Secretary for Justice, Mr Rimsky Yuen, SC; and the Secretary for Justice (designate), Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, met the media this morning (January 5). Following are the opening remarks by Mr Yuen:
     
     Allow me to summarise what I have said in Cantonese just now in English.
      
     As pointed out by the Chief Executive just now, the Central People's Government has accepted my resignation. Today is my last day as the Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. My resignation will take effect from tomorrow, January 6 this year.
      
     In the past five and a half years, I think Hong Kong has gone through a number of events and challenges. I am very, very privileged to have the chance to serve as the Secretary for Justice during this period.
      
     May I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to both the former Chief Executive as well as the incumbent Chief Executive for nominating me, and also my gratitude to the Central People's Government for appointing me as the Secretary for Justice during this period of time so that I have to handle all those work. May I also take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all the colleagues within the Government, including all the Principal Officials, as well as members of the disciplinary forces and all the colleagues in the Department of Justice. I think without their assistance and support, it would be difficult to handle many of the challenges that we faced during the past five and a half years or so.
      
     Making the decision not to continue as the Secretary for Justice is not an easy one. But I believe that at different stages of life, one should do different things.
      
     I am extremely glad that Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, is appointed as the next Secretary for Justice. With her very extensive experience and wisdom, I have every confidence that she would perform very well.
      
     On this note, if I may wish all of you and indeed the whole of Hong Kong every success in the future endeavours of Hong Kong.

Ends/Friday, January 5, 2018
Issued at HKT 12:43

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