Open-minded: Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa said the Government kept an open mind on the way the public choose to express their views.

Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa reiterated that the Government had an open mind on the channels through which citizens would like to express their views, such as rallies and marches.

The Government will listen to these voices seriously, he said.

Mr Tung's remarks were made before some groups were to hold rallies outside the Legislative Council building this evening.  

He said the Administration is facing some big challenges. However, he believes his team will ride them out. 

"We remain united to discharge our duties faithfully. We will learn from our experience. We will respond to the aspirations of our citizens as soon as possible," he said.

"Our goal is clear: We have to win public support and trust."

Meanwhile, Mr Tung is pleased that the latest Economic Freedom of the World Report has ranked Hong Kong the freest economy in the world for the seventh consecutive year. 

"We will strive to safeguard this position and maintain local and international investors' confidence in Hong Kong." 

The most important thing is to focus our efforts to maintain the stability and solidarity of our community, he added, and to revive our economy as soon as possible.