Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan, at a media session after attending a radio programme today (March 29):
Reporter: About the shipwreck found in Wan Chai, what do you think of the impact on the delay of works in the Central-Wan Chai Bypass project?
Secretary for Development: At the moment, the impact is unknown. We are in the process of fact-finding. At this stage, it is really difficult to assess the impact of this on the progress of that particular project.
Reporter: (About the impact on railway development)
Secretary for Development: The Civil Engineering and Development Department is fully aware of the importance of this project on the progress of the entire railway development. They will accord top priority to the work in this respect.
Reporter: How long is the assessment going to take?
Secretary for Development: The fact-finding work is important. The impact at this stage is really very difficult to assess because we are not fully aware of what is under the water. But as I said, we have accorded priority to this and try to minimise the impact on the overall programme.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Sunday, March 29, 2015
Issued at HKT 12:59
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