Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, at a media session in Beijing this afternoon (December 23):
 
Reporter: Mr Leung, will you consider running again because state leaders have praised you for, you know, curbing Hong Kong independence? And have you talked about John Tsang's resignation?
 
Chief Executive: The answer is no. For family reasons, I decided not to seek re-election.
 
Reporter: And about John Tsang's resignation?
 
Chief Executive: I'll say this in Chinese first and I'll repeat it in English, if I may.
 
     In the remaining six months of my term, one of the most important tasks is to organise the election of the next Chief Executive, and when the Chief Executive-elect has been elected, the task will then be a question of ensuring that there is a smooth transition between the two term Governments and between myself and the new Chief Executive.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
 

Ends/Friday, December 23, 2016
Issued at HKT 19:18

NNNN