Hong Kong Leader Urges Calm in Milk Crisis

Text of report by Radio TV Hong Kong Radio 3 on 23 September

The chief executive, Donald Tsang, says the government is very concerned about the tainted milk crisis, but he says he is confident it can control the problem. Speaking after visiting a general outpatient clinic in Yau Ma Tei [in Kowloon], Mr Tsang called on parents to keep calm. He said there are adequate clinics to help them test their children for kidney problems if necessary. Mr Tsang also said they will carry out a series of follow-up actions and will maintain close contact with the mainland authorities.

[Tsang] There are also downstream products, other products, food products that may be contaminated, and we have to assess to what extent these products are being retailed and on sale in Hong Kong. And we have to look at our own facilities in terms of hardware, our hospital [the Princess Margaret Hospital has been designated to deal with cases, the radio reported on 22 September] our clinics, (?who maybe cater) for this type of work. We also have to think about those Hong Kong babies whose parents are mainland people who might come to Hong Kong and seek help, and we must have a strategy in response to that need.

Originally published by RTHK Radio 3, Hong Kong, in English 0700 23 Sep 08.

(c) 2008 BBC Monitoring Newsfile. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.