1
CS's statement
The following statement is issued by the Chief Secretary, Mrs Anson Chan, today (Saturday):
"A number of persons have asked me to put myself forward as a candidate for selection as the Chief Executive of the future Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.
"I am grateful to these people and indeed to the community and to my colleagues in the civil service for their expressions of support and for the confidence they have placed in me. I feel I owe it to all of them to make my position clear.
"I have thought long and hard about how I can best serve the interests of Hong Kong. In particular, I wish to do what I can to preserve the integrity, political neutrality and confidence of the civil service which I head.
"After careful consideration of all the relevant factors governing the selection process and having consulted my senior colleagues within the civil service, I have decided not to put my name forward as a candidate for the Chief Executive post.
"Although I shall not be seeking the top post, it remains my wish, and that of my senior colleagues to continue to serve the people of Hong Kong without fear or favour and to play our part in achieving a successful transition.
who:
"The civil service and I am sure the entire community look for a chief executive
is a person of integrity, principle and courage with strong leadership qualities who will exemplify Hong Kong's autonomy and its hard won international reputation;
is committed to the faithful implementation of 'one country, two systems' as set out in the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law;
will preserve and protect all the freedoms and rights enshrined in the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law;
is able to communicate and deal effectively with China's leaders and thereby earn the confidence and respect of both these leaders and the people of Hong Kong;