Paper urges to safeguard Constitution, HK basic law

BEIJING-- The authority of China's Constitution and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) must be firmly safeguarded, a white paper said Tuesday.

As the fundamental law of the country, the Constitution is applicable throughout the territory of the People's Republic of China, including the HKSAR. The Basic Law, formulated in accordance with the Constitution, provides for the system of the HKSAR and enjoys the legal status as its constitutional law, said the paper.

All the provisions of the Basic Law are interrelated with each other and should not be comprehended in an isolated way without taking into account the Basic Law as a whole, said the paper published by the State Council Information Office on elaborating the practice of the "one country, two systems" policy in the HKSAR.

Stressing one aspect while ignoring others, ambiguity or even contentious interpretation will occur, which will severely hamper the implementation of the Basic Law, it said.

The paper also noted that the systems and mechanisms related to implementing the Basic Law should be improved to enhance its authority.

In particular, it is necessary to exercise well the power invested in the National People's Congress Standing Committee as prescribed in the Basic Law and see to it that the relationship between the central government and the HKSAR is brought onto a legal and institutionalized orbit so as to achieve lasting peace and order in Hong Kong, the paper said.