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 16):
Reporter: Mrs Lam, how can those seeking election show that they've changed their political views? Or are election bans for life? Secondly, last week you said Lau Siu-lai's disqualification was based on fact, as well as based on the opinion of one man, the official who claims she believes in independence. Would you agree it can only be one of these two things?
Chief Executive: I'm sorry, the decision about whether a candidate could be qualified to contest in an election and in this case a by-election is a decision made by the Returning Officer in accordance with the law and the facts, and I'm afraid that that particular case may go through an election petition or even a judicial review in due course, therefore it is not proper for me to comment on the details of the case.
Reporter: Can they change their views though?
Chief Executive: It's not proper for me to comment on a case which is going to go through a petition or a judicial review process.
Reporter: Mrs Lam, you said you want to give hope to Hong Kong people, but what do you want to say to the thousands of people who either signed petition and protested last weekend against the Lantau Tomorrow project?
Chief Executive: What I want to say is Lantau Tomorrow Vision is a proposal for our future generations. I think there is no doubt in everybody's mind that we are acutely short of land, and that's why a lot of people are living in very poor conditions. Over 270 000 families are waiting to be provided with decent housing, and that decent housing is not even a very spacious one. Hong Kong needs a more steady supply of land, not only to meet our immediate needs but to meet the future needs of Hong Kong, both in terms of housing, economic development, leisure and all the other purposes. So, Lantau Tomorrow is proposed under that sort of passion for Hong Kong, that Hong Kong should move forward, Hong Kong should be a better city for our population. There's absolutely no conspiracy in this Lantau Tomorrow Vision, except to do good things for the people of Hong Kong. Thank you very much.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
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