Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, at a media session at the Legislative Council Complex yesterday (July 17):
 
Reporter: Secretary, the UK President of the Supreme Court has just issued a statement, where I quote "Whether judges of the Supreme Court can continue to serve as judges in Hong Kong will depend on whether such service remains compatible with judicial independence and the rule of law." Do you have any plans to revisit the National Security Law, the rules of appointment of judges and how do you respond to the prospects of judges dropping out from serving as the non-permanent judges of the court appointment?
 
Chief Secretary for Administration: Hong Kong's judicial independence is enshrined in the Basic Law and is something which we will preserve and we value greatly. I don't think there should be any ground for concern about the appointment of judges, and I don't think there will be any change in the judicial system in the long, long time to come. It's all enshrined and protected under the Basic Law. In fact, one of the cardinal principles in designing and drawing up the National Security Law is to preserve Hong Kong's core values and to ensure that 'one country, two systems' will progress steadily and smoothly in the years ahead.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Saturday, July 18, 2020
Issued at HKT 0:27

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