Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2019 Leaders Cup today (February 17).
      
Dear Bill (Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered, Mr Bill Winters), Benjamin (the Regional Chief Executive Officer, Greater China & North Asia, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, Mr Benjamin Hung), Mary (the Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, Ms Mary Huen), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
      
     Good morning!
      
     It gives me great pleasure to be here, taking part in the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon's Leaders' Cup 2019. A warm welcome to all of you participating alongside me.
      
     Running has long been one of my favourite sports. It helps me keep fit and refreshes my mind. Having a clear mind is particularly important in the run-up to the annual Budget. This may be why Ben and Mary thought of me in selecting the participants for this year's Leaders' Cup race. 
      
     For those of you running with me, please feel free to give me your thoughts on the Budget during the run. But please note that in nodding my head, it does not mean I agree to adopt your suggestions. I may have simply run out of breath and can only nod my head as a polite response that I've heard you.
      
     I understand the Leaders Cup today will also mark the launch of the creative and meaningful Belt and Road Relay, the first-ever running event along the Belt and Road. For those elite staff athletes joining the Relay, please enjoy the run. And I shall count on you to promote Hong Kong's key role, as an international financial centre, in providing top-notch financial services to support Belt and Road projects.
      
     May I wish you all good running, and the best of business, in this year of the Pig. I shall stop here and get my feet ready. See you at the starting line.
      
     Thank you.

Ends/Sunday, February 17, 2019
Issued at HKT 11:23

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