Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo (with video)
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Reporter: Good morning. Two questions. Firstly, July 1 of this year marks the 24th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the centenary of the Communist Party of China. So, does the Government have plans to mark this special occasion? Secondly, what do you make of media reports that international study paid university students in Hong Kong to join protests in 2017? Thank you.
Chief Executive: Thank you for the two questions. Yes, in a few weeks' time, Hong Kong will be celebrating the 24th anniversary of reunification with the Mainland and the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. As in previous years, the HKSAR Government will host various types of activities including the flag-raising ceremony and the reception on July 1. And I understand that many associations are also organising similar celebration activities under the restrictions imposed because of COVID-19. It perhaps will not be able to go back to previous years when there were large crowds attending receptions, dinners and large gatherings to celebrate this important day, but I believe that these sort of activities are still going on. This year is also the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Chinese Communist Party. I have been invited, and I'm very pleased to be able to take part in some of the celebration activities including a seminar on the relationship between the Chinese Communist Party and "One Country, Two Systems" this Saturday, and also an exhibition on the achievements of the Party over the last century. These will be the activities that you will see are taking place in Hong Kong.
The second question, I do not have all the facts with me. I could only say as a matter of principle that, based on the events that we have seen in the latter half of 2019 until the enactment and implementation of the National Security Law, I hope there is now no doubt in the minds of many people that there are external forces quite active in Hong Kong for their ulterior motive. And I have just, in response to one of the questions, mentioned about those ulterior motives, either they want to undermine the Chinese Government, or they have ideological prejudices against China. These external forces are at work, and how they are acting, penetrating into various institutions in Hong Kong including the universities, is something that everyone in position should be very sensitive to. If there are reports that things like this sort are taking place in the university, I would urge the university management, the council chairman and the president to be extremely careful and to make sure that university students will not be easily indoctrinated by those prejudices and bias, let alone to take part in activities that will breach the laws of Hong Kong. Thank you.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Tuesday, June 8, 2021
Issued at HKT 14:26
Issued at HKT 14:26
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Audio / Video
CE meets the media