Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan, at a media session today (July 22) after attending the Legislative Council Panel on Development special meeting:
Reporter: What is your response to the accusation that had been made against you and your family regarding these properties? What is your response to the demand that you should step down?
Secretary for Development: The allegation against me is unfair and misleading. As I said, my wife and her family bought this piece of land in 1994 - that was about 19 years ago - in Sheung Shui. That particular piece of agricultural land was used for leisure purposes by the family. This piece of land is about 20,000 square feet. In 2008, some 2,000 square feet of that particular piece of land were resumed by the Government. My wife, in early October last year, at her initiative, sold the entire shareholding in the company to other family members and resigned as a director. She no longer has any interest in that particular company. The company and its shareholders or directors are not in property business. I have complied with the code for officials under the political appointment system and the code for Executive Councillors, and I have made the appropriate declarations where necessary.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Monday, July 22, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:44
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