Unity in crisis: The Chief Executive called on lawmakers and Hong Kong people to work together "out of our genuine love for Hong Kong". He added: "Time and circumstances just do not allow us to waste our energy on endless bickering and debates."

The Chief Executive told lawmakers who wanted to see him resign that he could definitely tolerate their criticisms. Their accusations, he said, would not shake his determination to serve the people of Hong Kong.

"I will not be distracted from my vision  to implement 'One country, two systems' and to do all the things I need to do in the wake of the SARS outbreak," Tung Chee Hwa said in a question-and-answer session in the Legislative Council this afternoon.

Expert group to review Hong Kong's SARS fight

He also said he had asked the Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, to set up an expert group comprised of the most authoritative, most experienced experts from the Mainland and around the world to carry out a serious and comprehensive review of the fight against SARS, including the system and the operation, the pathological aspects and the methods of treatment.

The group will do a comprehensive review of Hong Kong's handling of the SARS outbreak, "whether we have done things right, and whether there is room for improvement," he said.

"We have to attach our focus to science, we have to rely on experts," he said. The group's mission is fact finding, he added. "We want to make sure that for our medical system there will be progress," to ensure that Hong Kong's medical system can cope if a similar outbreak occurs in future.

The report was to be completed as soon as possible - and it would be made fully open. "We must let all Hong Kong people know what the challenges are and what we should do to meet those challenges."

CE expresses pride in Hong Kong people

Mr Tung expressed his heartfelt gratitude to medical workers who risk their lives to protect the health of the public. He also paid tribute to the people of Hong Kong. "In this natural disaster, you have shown the world unusual calmness, the community is still orderly. You have shown the world your kindness and your care and love for others. You have shown the world your morale and your perseverance in the fight against the epidemic."

He added: "I am extremely proud of the people of Hong Kong because they have these virtues."

Time for united front, not bickering

Mr Tung called on lawmakers and all Hong Kong citizens to unite and put their differences aside.

"We have this deadly enemy in front of us. We are now fighting in order to protect the lives and well-being of the people of Hong Kong. Time and circumstances just do not allow us to waste our energy on endless bickering and debates. We must do our utmost to do the things that need to be done."

Those tasks include:

* strictly implementing various measures to contain the spread of the virus including being vigilant in hospitals and ensuring zero infections among medical staff;

* working with the World Health Organisation to have the travel advisory lifted for Hong Kong, and cooperating fully with cities and regions to ensure everyone's safety;

* cleaning up the city so as to prevent the virus from spreading;

* getting in touch with those who have been hit by the disaster to let them know that society cares for them;

* providing economic relief to the various trades and industries that have been hit by the outbreak;

* telling the world and the Mainland what is happening in Hong Kong; and

* finding ways to revive the economy, including stepping up talks with Guangdong Province with regard to the development of infrastructural projects and encouraging Guangdong tourists to visit Hong Kong.

Importantly, Mr Tung said, Hong Kong must continue its talks with the Central Government over the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, or CEPA, that will see greater economic integration of Hong Kong with the Mainland, including the listing of more Mainland companies on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

"At this critical moment, when there are so many arduous tasks before us, and these tasks affect the well-being of the public, let's all work together out of our genuine love for Hong Kong," he said.

Healthcare workers' health top priority

Mr Tung reiterated that he wanted to see zero infections in healthcare workers "as soon as possible", and noted that this was the mandate of the Hospital Authority.

"Everyday, when people tell me the number of new cases, I ask whether healthcare workers are involved," he said. "I am indeed most unhappy when they get infected. How can we achieve zero infection? That is the responsibility of the Hospital Authority and board of hospitals. That is an objective that must be obtained."

Lawmakers' queries, CE's replies

* When asked whether he would consider changing the 2006-07 deadline for balancing the budget, Mr Tung replied that maintaining the exchange rate of the HK dollar is important to economic development and the stability of the community. The Government would not postpone tax hikes and spending cuts despite the SARS outbreak as it was imperative to balance the books in the next four to five years. 

* In response to Fred Li's question over the Financial Secretary's purchase of a new car ahead of announcing his new budget, Mr Tung said he believed it was an oversight. He had the choice of accepting Antony Leung's resignation or giving him an open reprimand, he said. He chose to reprimand him publicly, and believes that Mr Leung has learned his lesson.

* Before July 1, the Chief Executive will issue a review of the accountability system.

* Replying to a query, Mr Tung noted that Secretary for Home Affairs Dr Patrick Ho has been asked to develop a plan to amplify the community's cohesiveness, to help rebuild Hong Kong and help with economic transformation. "That will be a rallying force, as soon as possible," he said.