Transcript of remarks by CE-elect (with photos/video)
Following is the transcript of remarks by the sixth-term Chief Executive-elect, Mr John Lee, at a media session after meeting the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at the Chief Executive's Office this morning (May 9):
Yesterday was the 2022 Chief Executive Election. I am grateful to the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, for meeting me today, right on the next day after I was elected. I just had a very useful meeting with the Chief Executive. The discussion was useful to ensure a smooth transition to the new term of Government. And we are working under a very tight schedule of some seven weeks from now to July 1. I would like, first of all, to thank the Chief Executive for arranging very quickly, the Office of the Chief Executive-elect (CE-elect), allowing me to work in the new office in the afternoon, right after the election yesterday. I thank her for arranging the office, as well as the helpful staff.
I would also like to thank the Government for organising a successful and orderly election yesterday. As a candidate during the 2022 CE Election, I saw first-hand, the professionalism of the civil servants of the Government, through their meticulous planning of every element of the electoral arrangements. Different members of the Election Committee have expressed appreciation similarly towards the arrangements. For that, I thank the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, under the leadership of the Chief Executive, and all the civil servants and personnel, who took part and contributed to the smooth running and the success of the election.
During the meeting with the Chief Executive earlier, we talked about a number of major tasks to be accomplished in the coming weeks of transition, including the proposed government re-organisation package, the latest situation of Hong Kong's work in fighting the epidemic, as well as activities celebrating the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR.
I am grateful to the Chief Executive for proposing a package of government re-organisation which facilitates this smooth transition between the two terms of government. The current proposal has already taken various relevant factors into account and the suggestions are detailed. We exchanged views on certain elements in the package. I shall reflect on those views, and colleagues in the CE-elect's office will be discussing in detail with the colleagues of the CE's office as soon as possible.
Later this morning, I shall meet with the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Chief Justice Andrew Cheung, and the President of the Legislative Council, Mr Andrew Leung respectively. In the afternoon, I shall visit the four offices set up by the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, that is, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR and Chinese People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison.
Thank you very much.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)