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Tung Pledges Gradual, Orderly Progress in Constitutional Development
Tung Chee Hwa, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), pledged Wednesday to make gradual and orderly progress in furthering Hong Kong's constitutional development, according to the Basic Law and the actual situation in the Hong Kong SAR.
Delivering his 2000 policy address, Tung said the experience in the past three years fully demonstrates that the executive authorities, legislature and judiciary of the SAR are able to function effectively under the Basic Law, and the rights of Hong Kong people have been fully protected.
"The approach of our governance has been to engage Hong Kong people in a collective effort to build a better future while balancing and looking after the interests of all.
"As chief executive, my primary concern is to ensure the successful implementation of 'one country, two systems', so as to enable Hong Kong to continue to progress," he said.
Tung pointed out that the concept of "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" has been implemented in the Hong Kong SAR over the past three years.
The community and the SAR government have worked together to meet the challenges of the financial turmoil, to restore economic growth and to maintain social stability, he said, noting that Hong Kong's achievements have been acknowledged by the central government.
Tung said Hong Kong's political structure outlined in the Basic Law is the manifestation of a spirit which encompasses respect for history and respect for reality.
"It establishes the principle of gradual and orderly progress and provides the SAR with ten years during which we can strengthen the foundation of our political structure and accumulate experience through the progress of implementation before taking next steps," he said.
Tung said the Executive Council has given him very valuable advice on the major policies and issues, and he will review the composition of the Executive Council at the appropriate time, in the light of changing circumstances and according to the demands of the government's work.
Referring to the relationship between the legislature and the executive authorities, Tung said the SAR government will examine ways of strengthening the existing mechanism of communication, so that the executive authorities will understand fully the standpoints and opinions of the Legislative Council members, and can better ensure that policies formulated and bills submitted will have support of the legislature.
In addition, the SAR government will continue to strengthen the legal system and uphold the rule of law in every aspect of its administration.
Tung stressed that the success of "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" hinges on the active participation of all sectors of the community, and the government will open up more channels for greater participation by the citizens in public affairs.
"This will enable the government to hear and consider the public views in formulating appropriate and acceptable policy measure," he said. "This is an important basis for our governance."
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