Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa said Friday that Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has been firmly safeguarding the freedom of speech in the past seven years, and will continue to do so in the future.

Addressing a media session before attending a reception hosted by the Hong Kong Chinese Civil Servants' Association, Tung said the paramount task of the HKSAR government is "to strive for a robust economic growth and improve people's livelihood and create jobs. In this regard, a favorable atmosphere in the community is vital."

Tung said he is "very concerned about the recent departure of several radio program hosts."

Commissioner of Police Lee Ming-kwai also said Friday that the government has placed much emphasis and is determined to protect freedom of speech in Hong Kong.

He said Police are very concerned about the recent cases where several program hosts quit their talk shows and are now carrying out criminal investigations into the incidents,

Lee said that so far, there is no evidence to suggest that the talk show hosts quit their jobs because they had been subject to criminal intimidation, or that their safety as well as their families' were at stake.

A leading official of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region said late Thursday night that the facts since Hong Kong's return to themotherland prove that the freedom of speech and freedom of the press have been entirely guaranteed in Hong Kong.

He said the persistent stance of the central authorities' is to unswervingly implement the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and the position of tackling issues by the Basic Law.

Source: Xinhua