Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (October 2):
 
Reporter: The MTR Chairman Frederick Ma said that he expected there will be about 60 000 people using the Express Rail Link on the first day of the Golden Week, but this figure still falls short of the 80 000 target set by the Government. Are you worried that in the future, the Government may have to pay for the extra cost for failing to hit the passenger target? And also secondly, the NPC delegate Tam Yiu-chung says political groups should avoid using words such as "self-determination" because it may imply ideas of independence. What’s your take on this issue and will the Government ban political groups using the term for their political platform?
 
Chief Executive: As far as comments made by other people, I don't want to comment on their comments. So you have to ask Mr Tam exactly what he meant.
 
     As far as the high-speed train, let me first make it clear that the 80 000 passengers per day is not a target. It's a best estimate at the time based on various factors, like the train frequency, the assessment of people’s travelling arrangements and so on. If you ask me, I would like this high-speed train to be able to serve more than 80 000 passenger trips every day.
 
     The second point I want to make is, it is a new piece of cross-boundary infrastructure and people have to get used to the convenience of this new piece of cross-boundary infrastructure.  Having said that, I think yesterday, according to our Immigration Department's figures, they have recorded a total of 78 000 passenger trips through this new cross-boundary point.
      
     The third point is when we talk about patronage of any facility, the important thing is to look at the prospects. I feel this high-speed train, this West Kowloon terminus, has huge prospects to attract more people to use it because we have yet to open this wonderful cultural facility called the West Kowloon Cultural District. With its various museums and cultural venues, it is bound to be more attractive in the future. So, let's look forward to a more attractive and more appealing high-speed train that will attract more passengers. I am not worried about the financial situation because in the arrangement that we have signed with the MTR Corporation– not “we” as the Government but the KCR, the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation, has signed with the MTR Corporation, we have put in pretty conservative estimates about the passenger trips, so it is unlikely that we will need to subsidise the operation of this high-speed train. But of course, it is for the operator, that is the MTR Corporation, to do all the necessary promotions to increase the patronage on the high-speed train.
      
 (Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)   
     

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited on phishing email, which has been reported to the HKMA.  Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.
      
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the email concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the email should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     A man who went missing in Tin Sum was located.

     Osborn Chun-kit, aged 31, went missing after he left his residence on Mei Tin Road on September 28 afternoon. His family made a report to Police on September 29.

     The man returned to his residence in the early hours today (October 2). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

     In response to a public assembly held at the East Wing Forecourt of the Central Government Offices (the Forecourt), today (October 1), a government's spokesman said that, "in accordance with Article 27 of the Basic Law and the Articles 16 and 17 of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights, Hong Kong residents shall have freedom of speech, demonstration and assembly.  However, this right is not absolute and may be restricted if the restriction is provided by law and is necessary for the protection of national security, public order and rights and freedoms of others."

     "Article 1 of the Basic Law clearly stipulates that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China (PRC).  Article 12 of the Basic Law states that the HKSAR shall be a local administrative region of the PRC, which shall enjoy a high degree of autonomy and come directly under the Central People's Government.  The Preamble of the Basic Law also stipulates that Hong Kong has been part of the territory of China since ancient times.  Upholding national unity and territorial integrity, maintaining the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, and taking account of its history and realities, the PRC has decided that upon China's resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, a HKSAR will be established in accordance with the Provisions of Article 31 of the Constitution of the PRC."

     The Basic Law has clearly stipulated that HKSAR is an inalienable part of the PRC.  The HKSAR Government has repeatedly emphasised that advocating the independence of Hong Kong undermines the HKSAR's constitutional order.  The SAR Government reiterated that 'independence of Hong Kong' runs counter to the successful implementation of 'one country, two systems' ,  the Basic Law, as well as the long-term interest of Hong Kong society as a whole.

     The spokesman stressed that the SAR Government is constitutionally responsible for upholding and implementing the Basic Law.  Therefore, the Government shall disallow any activities that advocate the independence of Hong Kong to be conducted at the Forecourt.

     The HKSAR Government expressed regret to the act of individual participants, who ignored the advice of the security guards of the Forecourt during today's public assembly, causing three security guards injured and admitted into hospital.

     "We hope that the three injured security guards will recover as soon as possible," the spokesman said.

The following press release is issued on behalf of the Hospital authority:

     The spokesperson for Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) made the following announcement today (October 1) regarding an incident related to oxygen supply during a patient transfer:
      
     A male patient with chronic illness was admitted to QEH on September 27 for severe acute pneumonia and later developed respiratory failure. On September 28 morning, healthcare staff intubated and connected the patient to mechanical ventilator to assist his breathing. His condition further deteriorated in the afternoon with septic shock and continuously declining level of oxygen saturation. Despite high dose inotropes and enhanced ventilation support for the patient, his condition had not improved.
      
     At about 10pm that night, with further deterioration of condition to critically ill, healthcare staff transferred him to the intensive care unit immediately for further treatment. During the transfer, a self-inflating ventilation bag was used to ventilate the patient manually. His vital signs were closely monitored during the transfer.
      
     The patient arrived at ICU two minutes later with his pulse continuously monitored and was immediately reconnected to a ventilator. The patient developed cardiac arrest five minutes later. His heartbeat resumed after resuscitation. Healthcare staff later found that the self-inflating ventilation bag used during the transfer was not connected to an oxygen cylinder. An ad hoc interview with the patient's family was arranged to explain the incident and it was reported to the hospital. The patient finally succumbed in the morning of September 30. The hospital has referred the case to coroner for further follow-up.
      
     The hospital is saddened by the patient's passing away and expresses its deepest condolences to the family. The hospital has met the patient's family again today to explain the incident and apologise to them. The hospital would keep close contact with them and provide them with all necessary assistance.
      
     The hospital has reported the incident to Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System. A review panel will be formed for thorough investigation to avoid a similar incident in the future. The investigation is expected to be finished in eight weeks.