"One Country, Two Systems" principle cherished
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-04-03 22:00

Both the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the central authorities highly cherish the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, Secretaryfor Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam said Saturday.

However, changing Hong Kong's political structure is not an issue covered in the principle of a "high degree of autonomy", said Lam during a radio talkshow.

Lam said according to the Constitution and the Basic Law, the central authorities has the ultimate power to make decisions on Hong Kong's constitutional development.

Lam said Hong Kong also has the right to participate in the process of introducing political changes and that any constitutional changes cannot be implemented without the support and consent of local residents.

He reiterated the National People's Congress Standing Committee's interpretations on Basic Law Annexes I and II will offer a solution to the divergent views on constitutional reform and enable the Constitutional Development Task Force to proceed with its work.

The central authorities will consider Hong Kong people's interests and the committee will carefully study the report submitted by the task force, said Lam.

Close

Today's Top News     Top China News
Senior gov't official defends suit in court         Article: HK Basic Law should be followed         US to fingerprint more foreign visitors         Taiwan recount still up in air         Sharon says Arafat is 'a marked man'         100 homeless after metro site collapse	HK makes response to US's HK policy act report       Senior gov't official defends suit in court       Taiwan recount still up in air       Japanese FM kicks off China visit       100 homeless after metro site collapse       NPC reviews HK Basic Law interpretations