Transcript of remarks by CE at media session in Nanning (with photo/video)

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session in Nanning this afternoon (September 6) after attending the 2019 Pan-Pearl River Delta Regional Co-operation Chief Executive Joint Conference:

Reporter: Many suggest that the crux of the ongoing social unrest is actually about the city's relations with Mainland China, especially the social and economic integration being regarded as undermining Hong Kong's identity. So how would the further co-operation as you mentioned help Hong Kong restore peace and resolve the deep-down conflicts across the border? Does that mean the Government will not change its direction in pushing ahead integration policies even under the growing anti-Mainland sentiment? And, vice versa, do you find it more difficult, and more obstacles, to work with Mainland cities given the growing hostility shared among Mainlanders against Hong Kong people?
 
Chief Executive: Hong Kong has been reunited with China for 22 years, and over the years, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has benefited significantly from the opening up and continuous reform of the Mainland economy. I believe that this should continue for the mutual benefits of Hong Kong and Mainland, and also for the people on both sides. As far as how we are going to take Hong Kong out of the current deadlock, I announced a couple of days ago I have offered four actions in order to do so, but this will require the joint efforts of everyone in society because if we are to stop violence and to return to law and order, then we need everyone in Hong Kong to speak loudly against the violence that we do not want to condone or to see. Each of these four actions will be taken up by myself and my team, especially in effectively communicating with the people of Hong Kong to identify some of those fundamental deep-seated problems. I don't want us to rush into a particular social issue being the cause of the current disturbance. We should look deeply and discuss with each other in order to identify those problems so that we can find the right solutions.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)