Clarification will signal an end to all concerns
By Au Wen (China Daily HK Edition)
Updated: 2004-04-03 23:28

At a meeting on Friday of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC), Li Fei, deputy director of the Commission of Legislative Affairs, explained the draft interpretation of two Basic Law annexes.

Li's presentation will help Hong Kong people better understand major issues of principle and basic objectives in the SAR's political system. It will also enable them to recognize the reasons for and necessity of the interpretation exercise and realize that the channels of communication are up and running.

By virtue of Article 67(4) of the Constitution and Article 158(1) of the Basic Law, the NPCSC holds the power of interpreting the mini constitution. Since there is a divergence in the understanding of the two clauses in the local community, the NPCSC interpretation will be able to clarify certain cardinal issues of principle, unify understandings, and put the political system back on the right track prescribed by the Basic Law.

Moreover, the interpretation exercise will prevent prolonged division and dispute in Hong Kong society over constitutional development, which will waste much time and energy of the SAR government and the general public. Undoubtedly, the interpretation exercise will contribute to the comprehensive and accurate implementation of "One Country, Two Systems" and the Basic Law. It will also help preserve harmonious relations between the central government and the SAR and even participation of different social sectors in governing Hong Kong.

Communication channels regarding the issue of Basic Law interpretation are open and operating well. The central authorities are attentive to different opinions of Hong Kong society over the issue, and the SAR government's Task Force on Constitutional Development has reflected all those opinions to the NPCSC in detail. The existence of efficient communication channels manifests the positive interactions between the central and SAR governments. It will help the NPCSC interpret the Basic Law and the Hong Kong community understand the interpretation exercise. This is the epitome of the "One Country, Two Systems" policy.

In Hong Kong, the general response to the NPCSC interpretation move is rational and positive. Different sectors of the community believe that the exercise has sufficient legal basis in the Constitution and the Basic Law. It will be conducive to allaying worries, resolving disputes and forging consensus; and help the community seize opportunities to relaunch the economy and improve people's livelihoods.

The interpretation exercise will be able to clarify all the ambiguous issues surrounding the SAR's political development and put investors' worries to rest. Hence it will be able to help bolster the city's economic revival and restructuring and serve the underlying interests of Hong Kong people.

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