Hong Kong: Govt urges Taiwan not to 'exploit politics' in murder suspect case

W/S Exterior of Central Government Complex, Hong Kong
SOT, Matthew Cheung, Chief Secretary for Hong Kong Administration: "On the first question, I hope the scenario you painted earlier on - that is the Taiwan authorities refuse completely - will not happen. As I said earlier in my Chinese reply, I really appeal to the Taiwanese authorities to tackle the matter with common sense, with compassion. And also that this suspect is wanted by the Taiwan authorities; in fact the order will be valid for thirty years. In other words, we are talking about somebody who is willing to surrender himself and get back to Taiwan to face trial and also, of course, to ensure justice is done. I think it's common sense that we should accede and try to provide every facilitation on that score. So I really want the Taiwan authorities hope that they won't complicate a simple issue and also don't use politics really. Do not try to exploit politics in order to really achieve a certain gain at the expense, particularly, of justice. It's very important [to keep] in mind. So at the moment, as we still hope that a breakthrough could be found, and [Chan] Tong-kai, the suspect, could be returned to Taiwan as soon as possible." *NO CUTAWAY AT SOURCE*
SOT, Journalist: "Yesterday was the Yuen Long attack's three-month-anniversary. So far, three months onwards, the government, no senior officials, no police officers have ever visited those people who [were] injured in the Yuen Long attacks. Whereas, [in] the mosque incident, police officers, police representatives visited the mosque just hours afterwards, and also the chief executive and police commissioner visited the mosque a day after. So why is this contrast? What's barring the government senior officials from visiting those who were injured in the Yuen Long attacks, given that it was the police who failed to protect those citizens?" *MULTIPLE SHOTS AT SOURCE* *NO CUTAWAY AT SOURCE*
SOT, Matthew Cheung, Chief Secretary for Hong Kong Administration: "The IPCC's [Independent Police Complaints Commission's] role is really to look into the incident, each and every incident, of course, as a reconstructing scenario and also provide a report, a study, for the government to act on. The IPCC also has [an] experience in the past to bring people to justice, you know, those responsible to justice. They've got examples in the past, I don't want to quote an example, you know what I am talking about. So that's why; this has been in the hands of the competent IPCC. They are doing a good job. We must give them time and space to finish their job, come up with the first report by the end of the year, alright?"
Journalist: "[Inaudible]."
Matthew Cheung, Chief Secretary for Hong Kong Administration: "That we certainly, we can't possibly visit everybody there. But for every single incident as I said, we do show our concern, as the July 21st event for example, you know, we were very conscious of the sentiment, of the feeling of those affected. That's why; the earlier we get the IPCC's report out is the better."
W/S Exterior of Central Government Complex
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