VP urges promoting Hong Kong democracy by law

BEIJING - Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping on Sunday called on people of Hong Kong special administrative region (SAR) to promote the constitutional development and democracy according to the Basic Law.

Xi made the remarks when he joined a panel discussion with deputies to the Third Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) from Hong Kong and Macao.

The Government of the Hong Kong SAR in November last year published a consultation paper on the methods for selecting the Chief Executive and for forming the Legislative Council in the SAR in 2012.

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The relation between "one country" and "two systems" should be accurately understood. Deputies from Hong Kong should play their role in administering Hong Kong in strict accordance with the Hong Kong SAR Basic Law, Xi said.

While attending the discussion of lawmakers from Macao, Xi said NPC members should fully support the new government of Macao to administer the region according to the law and make more contributions to Macao's prosperity and development.

In the post-financial crisis era, Macao must promote the orderly development of the gaming industry and diversify its economy to guarantee its sustainable economic development, Xi said.