XN000022-1996-09-26 — Page 6

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Question: Mr Suen, would you appeal to end the demonstrations at sea? They seem to be very dangerous.

Acting CS: I think those on board would be best to judge the situation at sea. And certainly from our point of view we have constantly urged people not to put their own life at risk. I think we all understand why they have chosen to demonstrate their feelings in this way, but we've got to appeal to all that above all personal safety is very important. They shouldn't do anything that would put their life at risk.

Question: Are you saying that it is the Hong Kong Government .... rescue operation?

sparked off the

Acting CS: That's right. We received the first call from the captain at around 9.57 and we responded straightaway by contacting the Maritime Rescue Co-ordinating Centres in Taiwan, in China and also in Japan. As I said within half an hour help was available in the form of a helicopter from Japan.

Question: Some people were saying that the outcome is almost predictable given the ...?

Acting CS: As I've said people at the scene would be best placed to judge whether their own personal safety is at risk. It is difficult for us a few hundred miles away to speculate what might be safe or what might not be safe for them. But certainly I think we would appeal to all that they should keep calm and in Hong Kong you know that there are many ways to demonstrate their feelings. There are peaceful ways in Hong Kong and we are all accustomed to the peaceful way of doing things.

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FS's transcript

Following is a transcript of remarks (English) made by the Financial Secretary, Mr Donald Tsang, at the airport before his department today (Thursday):

Question: Mr Tsang...can you say something on Mr David Chan?

Financial Secretary: Well, I just have got a report and the Chief Secretary will be making a full briefing to the media on what has been done by the Hong Kong Government in this respect. We all know this is a matter of foreign affairs and as a Hong Kong Chinese, of course, we attach great importance to what is happening in Diaoyu Islands. But it is important to realise that it is not a matter which we should get over passionate, it is a matter which we should get over passionate, it is a matter we should express our own feeling in our own, in Hong Kong typical, civilised manner. Thank you.

End