XN000022-1995-09-19 — Page 2

+

- 1 -

Transcript of the Chief Secretary's media session

The following is the transcript of the media session by the Chief Secretary, Mrs Anson Chan, after attending a function in Central this (Tuesday) afternoon:

CS: This is the first opportunity I have to talk with you all following the elections. I want to say that I warmly welcome the results of the elections. I think the elections on the whole were conducted in a very orderly fashion. We've devoted, as I said, substantial resources to ensuring its success of these historic elections, and I think the events have proven that the resources were very, very well spent. I have written to congratulate to all those who have been elected and I myself and my colleagues look forward greatly to working with all members of the Legislative Council in the next session. We have a very, very busy year ahead of us, for example, in the legislative programme, we already have 60 items of draft legislation which we would hope to put through in the first half of the coming session and clearly we will wish to discuss these items with members. I very much look forward to constructive dialogue and constructive partnership with all members of the Legislative Council. I am sure all members will work for the wider interests of the Hong Kong community and will also work to ensure a smooth transition.

Question: How do you comment on the Chinese saying that the election's results are not being fair and...

CS: Well, I've just said myself, I consider that the election was conducted in a very orderly manner and was clearly very transparent, open and fair. There was on the whole, a very good turnout. I don't think you should just consider the percentage turnout rate. You should look at the total number of people who actually participated in voting and we had a substantial number increase compared with the 1991 election. And we now have a broad cross-section of people from different walks of life represented in the Legislative Council and I am sure this would assist the Government in considering various proposals, particularly those proposals which will affect people's livelihood. As I said, I reiterate we very much look forward to working with the new Legislative Council.

End/Tuesday, September 19, 1995