Gao Siren, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong, said Monday that the Liaison Office fully agrees with Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa's statement on constitutional development made earlier the day.

Tung reiterated Monday in a press release that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government would not consider any proposal on constitutional development that deviates from the Basic Law and the decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) on the electoral arrangements for 2007 and 2008.

He described the "referendum" proposed in a motion by a few Legislative Council members as "inappropriate," "inconsistent with the established legal procedures," "impractical" and "is misleading to the public."

In an interview with Xinhua, Gao said some Hong Kong legislators' motion calling for a "referendum" on electoral arrangements is "a challenge to the country's constitutional system." "We express grave concern over the issue," he said.

Gao said that any attempt to conduct a "referendum" in the HKSAR, whatever its form or its package, is in violation of the Basic Law.

Gao said it is widely accepted that a "referendum" has specific legal and political implications. The so-called "referendum" motion tabled by a few Hong Kong legislators is inconsistent with the legal status of the HKSAR stipulated by the Basic Law and does not accord with the procedures stipulated by the Basic Law for amending the methods for the selection of the Chief Executive and for the formation of the Legislative Council.

He said the motion also goes against the decision made by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) in April this year on the amendments on the methods for the selection of the Chief Executive in 2007 and for the formation of the Legislative Council in 2008.

Gao said the Basic Law stipulates Hong Kong's legal status as a local administrative region, which shall enjoy a high degree of autonomy and come directly under the Central People's Government.

The Basic Law also defines the methods for the selection of the Chief Executive and for the formation of the Legislative Council and the necessary legal procedures for the possible amendment of the methods, he said.

He said that on April 26, the NPC Standing Committee made a decision on the principles and legal procedures required for amendments on the methods for the selection of the Chief Executive and for the formation of the Legislative Council.

Gao said the NPC Standing Committee also made clear that proper amendments to the methods could be made in accordance with these principles and in a gradual and orderly manner.

"We are delighted to see the HKSAR government is collecting public views on the matter and people from all walks of life in Hong Kong are actively offering their views and suggestions," he said.

"We hope Hong Kong legislators will put forward their constructive suggestions in a rational and practical manner and exercise their duties according to the Basic Law," Gao said.

The Hong Kong Legislative Council Constitutional Affairs Panel will meet to vote on the motion Monday afternoon.