Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (February 6):

Reporter: Mrs Lam, a question about the disqualification of candidates because some pro-establishment figures, such as Professor Lau Siu-kai and Jasper Tsang, said that the current rules on disqualifying candidates are not clear. For example, Professor Lau says he doesn't even know in the future if a candidate opposes the need to legislate Article 23 would be regarded as not upholding the Basic Law. Would the Government consider reviewing the current legislation so that it can reflect the rules more clearly?

Chief Executive: Up to this moment, the law is very clear, and we will act in accordance with the law in so far as deciding, by the Returning Officer, whether a candidate is eligible to become a qualified candidate in an election. But as far as the future situation is concerned, as I have said in the Legislative Council last week, if there is a need to clarify the rules and the criteria by amending local legislation, of course the Government will seriously consider that proposition. And by the way, there is also a judicial review case in the court which has yet to be decided and announced, so we will also take into account any court ruling and decision to address the question you ask - whether there is a need to amend local legislation.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Tuesday, February 6, 2018
Issued at HKT 12:27

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