HK holds symposium to mark 14th anniversary of Basic Law promulgation

Home>>China

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, March 16, 2004

HK holds symposium to mark 14th anniversary of Basic Law promulgation

China refers to the People's Republic of China. The relationship between "One Country" and "Two Systems" is clear. In Deng Xiaoping's words, without "One Country," there would be no "Two Systems", Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa said at a symposium to mark the 14th anniversary of the promulgation of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR).

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Seminar held to mark Basic Law of HKSAR

A symposium to mark the 14th anniversary of the promulgation of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) was held Monday.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa said at the symposium that the HKSAR government will fully support discussions on constitutional development issues within the framework of the Basic Law.

He said the central government has been paying close attention to the constitutional development of the HKSAR, and has made comments on some principle issues through various channels.

As for "One Country, Two Systems," "One Country" is the premise on which "Two Systems" is implemented. The Constitution is the supreme code representing and safeguarding the national sovereignty, he said.

Seminar in HK marks Basic Law

Tung said China refers to the People's Republic of China. The relationship between "One Country" and "Two Systems" is clear. In Deng Xiaoping's words, without "One Country," there would be no "Two Systems".

The concept of "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" means patriots must form the main body that governs Hong Kong. The patriots are those who respect their own Chinese nationality, sincerely support "One Country, Two Systems" and do not do any harm to the country or Hong Kong, he said.

Tung added that "a high degree of autonomy" is an autonomy entrusted by the central government. It indicates that Hong Kong is a special administrative region directly under the central government. Its authority comes from the central government.

Tung said the chief executive should be responsible for both the central government and Hong Kong as a whole. He is also responsible for the enforcement of the Basic Law.

He said Hong Kong's constitutional development should not violate the "executive-led" principle, which is the cornerstone of Hong Kong's success and is an important principle under the design of the Basic Law.

Tung said "balanced participation" indicates that Hong Kong's political structure must have due regard to the interests of all sectors of society and offer all people equal opportunity to participate.

He said Hong Kong's constitutional development should be enhanced step by step while continuously summing up experience.

Tung said he believed that Hong Kong's social stability and economic prosperity could only be achieved with steady and sound constitutional development.

He said "One Country, Two Systems" is an unprecedented and ingenious concept, which has been put into practice for the first time. "We have no previous experience of the Basic Law, and therefore our understanding of its contents and of the ways to best implement it is not adequate."

So discussions on constitutional development, which is of great importance to the future of Hong Kong, will inevitably hinge on the relevant Basic Law provisions and related issues of the principle, he said.

He said that since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, Hong Kong people's sense of national identity and national consciousness has been greatly enhanced. A recent poll by the government showed the discussions over the past two months have had a positive impact on the community as a whole.

He said he expected all sectors of the community to study the Basic Law again and gain new insights and understanding through rational discussions. Then Hong Kong can follow the path of "One Country, Two Systems" and observe the Basic Law in promoting Hong Kong's constitutional development.

The symposium was jointly held by the Hong Kong "One Country, Two Systems" Research Institute, the Joint Conference for Popularization of the Basic Law of the HKSAR and the Basic Law Institute.

Professors and experts who had taken part in drafting the Basic Law, including Xiao Weiyun, professor from Beijing University, Shao Tianren, a counselor with China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Xu Chongde, professor of the People's University of China, recalled the process of their drafting of the Basic Law.

They said the Basic Law is an unprecedented law, and noted it had been about 14 years since the law's creation and about seven years since its enforcement.

They said it is very important to understand the Basic Law in words and in essence.

Andrew Liao Cheung-sing, member of the Executive Council of the HKSAR, Stephen Lam Sui-lung, Hong Kong secretary for Constitutional affairs, and some other people from other institutions made speeches at the symposium. About 360 people from various walks of life attended the symposium.

Source: Xinhua

Questions?Comments? Click here

HK government actively promoting Basic Law: official

Deng's remarks on HK policy remain valid: expert

Seminar: Basic Law guarantees HK's prosperity, stability

>> Full Coverage

Indian navy to have two aircraft carriers by 2011 ( 4 Messages)

What's the meaning of Bush & Blair nominated as candidates for Nobel Peace Prize? ( 31 Messages)

Study: Americans eating themselves to death ( 7 Messages)

Japanese PM's remark on shrine visit leads to long-term cold relations with China: Kyodo ( 10 Messages)

French Presidents' China complex ( 4 Messages)