Following is the transcript of remarks by the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, at a media session before the Executive Council meeting this morning (January 8):
 
Reporter: About land supply, is the Government intending to actually resume the entire Fanling Golf Course, or at the very least to resume part of it, so that you can actually build housing on it, rather than actually leaving it for recreational use?
 
Chief Executive: The subject of private recreational leases has been the subject of another extensive public consultation conducted by the Home Affairs Bureau, and that particular consultation has not completely concluded. In other words, the Home Affairs Bureau has not even submitted the report to me, so it would be unfair for myself or the Secretary for Development to jump into a conclusion on the whole subject of private recreational leases without taking into account that consultation and that study. And I really hope to steer people away from just focusing on one lease, that is, the Fanling Golf Course. The private recreational leases study concerns all the private recreational leases and at this moment I'm not sure how they are going to approach the subject or present its recommendations, but it would be only fair to tackle the subject in its entirety rather than dealing with one particular site.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     As the Chinese New Year draws near, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority encourages the public to continue supporting the use of good-as-new notes for lai-see. Good-as-new notes are perfectly suitable for use as lai-see, given that Hong Kong's currency notes are maintained at a high standard of cleanliness. The three note-issuing banks will start exchanging new notes on January 23. As in previous years, they will provide sufficient new and good-as-new notes in various denominations to meet demand for notes. 
      
     The note-issuing banks will supply the 2018 New Series HK$500 notes from the same day onwards. Following the issuance of the new HK$1,000 notes last December, the new HK$500 notes will enter circulation on January 23.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (January 8) that Sha Tin Jockey Club Swimming Pool in Sha Tin District, closed earlier on due to urgent maintenance works, will be reopened at 10am today.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rate of medical wards in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (January 8) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District.  Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.