Following are the remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at a media session before the Executive Council (ExCo) meeting today (September 16):
 
Reporter: Just regarding your previous answer on the Same-sex Partnerships Bill, will you consider introducing new legislation to LegCo (Legislative Council) within this term to fulfil the court's ruling or are you giving up on that since LegCo voted down the previous bill? Do you fear that this could lead to more judicial rulings in the future? And also, have you taken up any follow-up action with Stanley Ng, who was the only member of ExCo not to vote on the legislation? My second question has to do with the Hong Kong International School situation. Do you have any comment on the row between the International School and the US (United States) church, and what are you doing to ensure it doesn't affect the lives of international students in the wider business community? Thank you.
 
Chief Executive: In regard to the Same-sex Partnerships Bill that the Government introduced, this action was in full fulfilment of the rule of law. Under the Basic Law, the Judiciary, the Administration and also the Legislative Council have, respectively, their functions and duties. Courts make judgments based on facts and based on legal principles, free from interference. The Administration respects and practises the rule of law, and therefore, when the court makes a declaration about some requirements, the Government exercises its duties and functions to propose legislation so as to implement the legal decision. The Legislative Council, under the Basic Law, has the duty to scrutinise bills proposed by the Government, and to vote to support or not support the bill. So in this exercise, I think all the three functions are fulfilled very properly. In other words, courts exercise judicial functions independently, free from interference, according to legal principles. The Administration proposes legislation to fulfil the legal obligation, to respect and practise the rule of law. Legislative Councillors scrutinise the Bill, vote to support or not to support the Bill. So this exercise reflects that all three bodies dutifully fulfil their functions under the Basic Law. In fact, there have been some very unfair criticism about the Legislative Council, that they are a "rubber stamp". That is a very unfair accusation, and the fact that they have exercised their duties and voted to represent their own thinking and the views from their constituencies reflect that LegCo Members are dutifully fulfilling their duties.
 
     Same-sex partnership is a contentious issue in Hong Kong, and that is why there have been a lot of views expressed, both in society and in LegCo, though one thing is very clear: the only form of marriage that is recognised under the Basic Law is heterosexual – male and female, and one to one. That principle hasn't changed and will not be changed. We will, of course, examine how we can offer protection to same-sex partners so that their rights will be protected. A lot of these relate to healthcare and also to estate properties. We will examine how we can do that administratively. Regarding one member of ExCo being absent, he has been in communication with me. ExCo matters are not going to be disclosed.
 
     In regard to the dispute involving an international school, this is now a sub judice matter, so I won't go into details, but the Government position is very clear. The standard of education cannot be affected. Students' rights cannot be affected. These two principles are most important and have been duly related to the parties concerned. The relevant parties take heed of these important principles. The Education Bureau will monitor this very closely, and we'll repeat that quality of education and students' interests must be safeguarded. One other thing they should do is to ensure that the parents and the students should be informed regularly of the developments.
 
 (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)

Ends/Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Issued at HKT 13:25

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