Under the design of "One Country Two Systems," the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) has the power to interpret the Basic Law, said a spokesperson of the Constitutional Affairs Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Wednesday.

The spokesperson said in HK it is lawful and constitutional to settle the issue of the term of office of the new chief executive by seeking the most authoritative interpretation in accordance with the Basic Law.

In response to US-HK Policy Act Report, the spokesperson said Hong Kong continues to exercise a high degree of autonomy, various freedoms and human rights remain respected and defended, and rule of law and an independent judiciary continue to prevail.

In response to remarks in the report on the decision of the Standing Committee of NPC in April 2004, the spokesperson said that in its decision, the Standing Committee of NPC reaffirmed that developing democracy in Hong Kong in the light of the actual situation and in a gradual and orderly manner according to the provisions of the Basic Law was the resolute and firm stance of the Central Authorities.

In making that decision, the NPC Standing Committee was fully aware of the concerns of the Hong Kong community, including different views on the pace of achieving universal suffrage. The NPC Standing Committee's decision clarified the scope of amendments to be made to the electoral methods for 2007 and 2008, said the spokesperson.

"Hong Kong is taking forward discussion on constitutional development. We hope that foreign governments and legislature will respect this process and the principle that Hong Kong affairs are for Hong Kong to manage in accordance with the Basic Law," said the spokesperson.

The spokesperson said that the government's decision to request the State Council to seek an interpretation by the NPC Standing Committee regarding the relevant provisions of the Basic Law is the only way forward to ensure that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region could elect a new chief executive lawfully and in time on July 10, and is consistent with the fundamental interests of Hong Kong.

The spokesperson emphasized that seeking an interpretation by the NPC Standing Committee would not affect "One Country Two Systems," "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong," and "a high degree of autonomy," nor would it damage the rule of law on which Hong Kong's success is based.

Source: Xinhua