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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, at a media session on the Manila hostage-taking incident at the ground floor lobby of the Office of the Chief Executive today (April 23):
Reporter: I wonder if this meeting organised between you and the Philippine Government, was there a sincerity, some sort of sincerity, also sincere apologies? Because the words like "sorrowful" and "condolences" are different from apologies. And the other thing is, did you receive any phone call from President Aquino as soon as he knew that consensus was reached at this point in time?
Chief Executive: The Hong Kong side, and I would go as far saying that included myself, my colleagues and also the victims and the families in the process, do believe that the Philippine side has been sincere in discussing with Hong Kong, and the sincerity has led to the agreement between the victims and the families and the Philippine Government on this matter. On the question of apologies, the Cabinet Secretary who led the delegation to Hong Kong today was designated by the President, by President Aquino, when I met with him formally, specifically on this matter, in Bali.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Issued at HKT 20:06
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