Following is the transcript of the reply by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Raymond Tam, to a question from the media after attending the Legislative Council meeting tonight (July 10):
Reporter: Mr Tam, are you saying that the Chief Executive, it is all up to him whether or not he reflects the recent months' actions to Beijing?
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs: Constitutionally, it is entirely up to him to include in his own report to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), the content of which is purely his own prerogative.
Of course, he has to base on the report submitted by the Task Force on Constitutional Development and it is his own choice to include or otherwise the latest sentiments of the community even after the expiry of the consultation period of the Task Force. But practically, I am quite optimistic that there is room and there is a certain opportunity for the Chief Executive (CE) to reflect the latest sentiments of the community to the Standing Committee.
It is because after all, I am sure that the CE would reflect all major views and sentiments of the community on this very important constitutional issue to the Standing Committee in order that the Standing Committee could make an informed decision.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript).
Ends/Thursday, July 10, 2014
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