Transcript of remarks by CS at media session (with video)
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Reporter: Mr Cheung, two questions. Firstly, some argue that when you say you want to end one-party rule, that means it could be violating the Constitution. Do you have any comments on that? Secondly, regarding the high-level HR Planning Commission, what is the target of it? I mean, what do you hope?
Chief Secretary for Administration: The high level Human Resources Planning Commission is designed really to holistically plan ahead, make provision for Hong Kong's manpower supply and demand requirement and make sure that Hong Kong keeps abreast with our evolving social economic changes in order to maintain Hong Kong's position as a competitive economy. And in the process we also create more opportunities for young people to enhance their upward social mobility. So, it's really a win-win situation we're in - make sure that we've got the right quality of people and also provide opportunities for local population, and for the local workforce - equip the local workforce for the challenges ahead and see how best to replenish the supply that is in demand. So, we're talking about a strategic position in terms of our manpower requirement, okay.
Reporter: Regarding violating the Constitution when you mention...
Chief Secretary for Administration: I can't comment because I haven't really read the material, but suffice for me to say that the Constitution, the Basic Law is part of the Constitution. So, if we have to comply with the Basic Law, respect the Basic Law, we have at the same time to respect the Constitution, because the Basic Law derives from the Constitution itself.
Reporter: How about one-party rule then? Does that mean it is violating the Basic Law then?
Chief Secretary for Administration: Anything that's violating the Constitution is of course unacceptable. Just like the Basic Law, you know you've got to be in compliance with the Basic Law, and the Basic Law derives from the Constitution.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Monday, March 19, 2018
Issued at HKT 18:30
Issued at HKT 18:30
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Audio / Video
CS meets the media