Transcript of remarks by SCMA on Liaison Office and National Anthem Bill
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     The following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, at a media session in the Legislative Council Building today (April 23):

Reporter: Is the Liaison Office (the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) (LOCPG) not governed by any law under the Basic Law? It's a question that has been asked by many reporters but you have been ignoring that. Second question is what are you going to do with the National Anthem Law concerning the impact of LegCo's House Committee? Critics have cited your hard-line approach regarding previous immigration issues in handling opposition in other countries as one of the reasons why you have been promoted to this post, as well as your loyalty to the Central Government. How will you respond to those critics?
 
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs: The LOCPG is representing the Central People's Government to oversee the implementation of the Basic Law and "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong. Of course, they have the right and obligation to see whether the Basic Law and "one country, two systems" are being implemented rightly in Hong Kong. So, it is not reasonable for them (the critics) to make such a remark. When situation so arises, they (the LOCPG and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council) made the comments which I think it is okay.  

Reporter: So it's not governed by any law under the Basic Law? And my other two questions - House Committee and National Anthem Law? 

Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs: For the National Anthem Bill, we are still waiting for the House Committee to have the Chairman (elected) so that the meeting can start and we can resume second reading.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Thursday, April 23, 2020
Issued at HKT 19:25

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