US interference in China's internal affairs condemned

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, April 05, 2004

US interference in China's internal affairs condemned

Remarks by a US official on constitutional development in Hong Kong are unacceptable, a government spokesman in Hong Kong said over the weekend.

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Remarks by a US official on constitutional development in Hong Kong are unacceptable, a government spokesman in Hong Kong said over the weekend.

The spokesman for the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) was referring to remarks made on Friday by a US State Department deputy spokesman. The State Department has also submitted a report on Hong Kong to the US Congress.

Report by HK Mingpao Newspaper on April 4 said that Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said that the Chinese Government has confidence and ability in maintaining the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong, and need no other countries making irresponsible remarks. Spokesman for the Office of The Commissioner under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The People's Republic of China in The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region did not accept the US remarks, pointing out the US doubt, that law interpretations by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress will affect the confidence of the international community in Hong Kong, is "entertaining groundless worries".

Lin Ruilin, head of Constitutional Affairs Bureau, stressed that Hong Kong's political system is of China's internal affairs and he expressed the hope that the United States would respect this principle and refrain from interfering in China's internal affairs.

HK Wen Wei Po reported on April 4, with regard to the US concern over Beijing's interpretations on HK Basic Law, public figures reiterated the development of Hong Kong's political system is China's affair and the US has no right to interfere in it. There are also people criticizing Martin Lee's recent article for distorting facts and law.

With regard to US report that expressed concern about Beijing's interpretations on the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Hu Yingxiang, president of Hopewell Holdings Ltd., criticized US interference in HK affairs. He emphasized, "The HK political system is our own business. When is it the US turn to make comment?" He added that Hong Kong is not the US colony, nor its 51st state. Do we express serious concern over the election of mayor of Washington? He reiterated, the US has no right to interfere. Conversely, the Hong Kong people should sensibly discuss the political issue of Hong Kong according to the Basic Law.

Liu Zhaojia, chief advisor to the central policy group of the HK government, held that the US often makes comment on the political system of Hong Kong and the comment this time, which is not the first, does not surprise him. However, he said, the political system of Hong Kong, which is the internal affair of China, should be developed according to the circumstances in China including Hong Kong. He is worried that US remarks will further lead to division in HK society which will make the development of political system more complicated and fluctuant.

The report touched on China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee's interpretation of the Basic Law and Hong Kong's constitutional development.

The report expressed the worry that the interpretation of the Basic Law would affect the international community's confidence in Hong Kong.

The spokesman said Hong Kong residents have been ensured various basic rights and freedoms entrusted by the law.

The HKSAR government has been governing Hong Kong according to the Basic Law and implementing all the commitments to the international community while actively conducting international co-operation, the spokesman said, pointing out that the US report admitted those facts.

Still, to guarantee the correct understanding and implementation of the Basic Law, the NPC Standing Committee will interpret related articles in the annexes to the Basic Law according to the Constitution and Basic Law, he said.

In Beijing, the Law Committee of the NPC said yesterday it has agreed to submit the draft interpretations of the two clauses of the Hong Kong Basic Law for approval by the NPC Standing Committee.

The NPC Law Committee has submitted draft interpretations on Clause 7 of Annex I and Clause 3 of Annex II of the Hong Kong Basic Law for approval by the eighth meeting of the 10th NPC Standing Committee, said Yang Jingyu, chairman of the Law Committee.

The meeting started on April 2, and is scheduled to conclude on Tuesday.

A spokesman of Hong Kong's Constitutional Affairs Bureau said on Saturday the central authorities and the HKSAR will deal with constitutional development according to the Basic Law.

"The international community should have faith that the HKSAR government will continue to run Hong Kong in strict accordance with the Basic Law," he said.

The spokesman said that the decision of the Standing Committee of the NPC to interpret the relevant provisions relating to legislative processes would help Hong Kong resolve an important and practical issue and allow it to advance its constitutional development.

There are divergent views in the Hong Kong community on the interpretation of the provisions in the two Annexes.

The interpretation by the NPC Standing Committee will help clarify the views, put an end to disputes and provide a firm foundation for the next stage of work, said the spokesman.

Some top businessmen have been vocal in their support for the stance of the NPC Standing Committee.

Gorden Wu Ying-sheung, chairman of Hopewell Holdings Ltd, said on Saturday that the central government has been taking great concern and care of Hong Kong.

Whenever Hong Kong encountered economic difficulties, the central government offered great support.

He said the mainland has achieved great success in its opening-up drive and he is confident in the NPC Standing Committee's interpretation.

Peter Wong Man Kong, chairman of M.K. Corporation Ltd, said it is the proper time for the NPC Standing Committee to interpret the Basic Law.

By People's Daily Online/agencies

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