Top legislature reviews draft interpretation to Hong Kong SAR Basic Law

BEIJING -- The top legislature on Saturday deliberated a draft interpretation to Article 104 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).

The draft interpretation was submitted to legislators for deliberation at the third plenary meeting of the bimonthly session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, which concludes Monday.

Entrusted by the chairpersons' meeting of the NPC Standing Committee, Zhang Rongshun, vice chairperson of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the top legislature, delivered an explanation of the draft interpretation, introducing the implication of the legislation and its legal principles.

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, was also present at the meeting.

Article 104 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR stipulates: "When assuming office, the chief executive, principal officials, members of the executive council and of the legislative Council, judges of courts at all levels and other members of the judiciary in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region must, in accordance with law, swear to uphold the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and swear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China."