Interpretation by top legislator ensures timely by-election: SAR gov't spokesman

Interpretation by the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee can ensure timely by-election of new Chief Executive (CE) and comply with the rule of law in Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region (SAR) government spokesman said Sunday.

"Under the design of the 'One Country, Two Systems,' the NPC Standing Committee has the constitutional power to interpret the Basic Law in accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law.

This is an integral part of the constitutional structure of the HKSAR. It is lawful and constitutional for the government to make a request in accordance with the Basic Law to the NPC Standing Committee to interpret the Basic Law," the spokesman said.

He pointed out that seeking an interpretation by the NPC Standing Committee would not affect the judicial proceedings in the HKSAR. Meanwhile, the government would deal with judicial review cases according to legal procedures.

"We are aware that the community very much hopes that the new CE can be elected lawfully and in time on July 10. In order to achieve this, seeking an interpretation by the NPC Standing Committee is consistent with the fundamental interests of Hong Kong and complies with the 'One Country, Two Systems' and the rule of law," he said.

Regarding constitutional development, the spokesman said that the government would act according to the relevant provisions of the Basic Law and the decision of the NPC Standing Committee on April 26, 2004 and take forward the HKSAR's constitutional development.

The Constitutional Development Task Force was consulting the public on its Fourth Report, he said, adding the Task Force welcomed views on amending the methods of selecting the Chief Executive in 2007 and forming the Legislative Council in 2008.