Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, and the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, at a media session after attending the Ante Chamber exchange session this morning (August 17):
 
Reporter: Mr Cheuk, will you still adopt the changes according to the lawmakers' suggestions? Because the hygiene programme has started already. Like how do you review the penalty system and also how will you adopt changes to the suggestions? And for Mr Chan, because the Government has already relaxed the quarantine measures to a "3+4" policy, is there any progress on discussing the reopening of border with the Mainland?
 
Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration: Maybe I take your first question. We will conduct a comprehensive review of the relevant hygiene and sanitation legislations and we will be looking at whether the existing legislations are adequate in terms of empowering government departments to properly carry out their duties, and also the adequacy of the penalty. So, we will take a holistic view and if necessary, we will propose changes to existing legislation, or even explore the prospect of enacting a new legislation.
 
Chief Secretary for Administration: We have been discussing actively with the Mainland authorities how to, I would say, resume the quarantine-free travel between Hong Kong and the Mainland, and I think we will make announcement at suitable occasions. Thank you.
 
Reporter: Do you worry about the international community will question about the trial, because, you know, the defendants, they are pretty well known? And can you recap in English how do you see about the Ante Chamber discussion? Thank you.
 
Chief Secretary for Administration: Because this case is now part of the court proceedings, I do not want to make too much comment on that. I think this is a most appropriate arrangement. All right. Thank you.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Issued at HKT 15:48

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