Transcript of remarks by CE at media session before ExCo (with photos/video)

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting today (October 24):
 
Reporter: The first question regarding the visit of California Governor Gavin Newsom, saying that Hong Kong will soon host an annual event bringing together the bay areas of the US and the Greater Bay Area. How do you see the city's role as a bridge for co-operation between the US and China amid continued tensions between the two countries? And also regarding the Policy Address, the Government will reportedly consider measures such as offering cash handouts to newborns and also prioritising newborn parents for subsidised housing, which are both unprecedented and controversial. Do you believe that you have any confidence in convincing the public using these measures and whether or not they will buy into this? Thank you.
 
Chief Executive: Hong Kong is always in support of good relations with all countries. We promote and support free trade. We promote and support free economies. We promote and support collaboration, because through co-operation and collaboration, I think governments and people can work together to bring benefits to the overall good of both places. So we are in support of promoting co-operation and collaboration in different areas, whether it relates to climate change, whether it relates to how to sail through this economic storm, and also green economy and all these. Yes, Hong Kong will continue to play the role of creating opportunities for co-operation and collaboration. We have been holding a lot of international conferences in Hong Kong in regard to different topics. We will continue to do that, and we will be happy for anybody to take part including people from different parts of the world. And of course, we welcome US players to come, particularly those from the business sector, because I think business means opportunities for everybody. And business also, I think, is the biggest force that will drive economic development and people-to-people exchange, so we'll continue that role.
 
     In regard to issues that may have relevance to the Policy Address, I thank you for the big interest in the Policy Address, but I really would hope that you just wait for one more day and all the issues that will be covered in the Policy Address will be made known tomorrow.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)