People from all sectors of Hong Kong society welcome and support the approval of the draft by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) on the interpretation of Clause 2, Article 53 of the Basic Law.

The draft confirms that the new Chief Executive (CE) selected through the by-election should serve the remainder of the tenure of his predecessor.

Hong Kong Senior Counsel Alan Hoo H.C. said the NPC Standing Committee has made an authoritative interpretation on the tenure of the new CE according to the power rendered by the Constitution. The Law Society of Hong Kong should respect the result.

Hong Kong Law Forum convener Lester Huang said the interpretation by the NPC Standing Committee is clear and lawful, and will guarantee the smooth by-election on July 10. "The NPC's interpretation is in line with the interest and will of the Hong Kong people," he said.

Professor of Hong Kong University Albert Chen Hung Yee said the interpretation by the NPC Standing Committee, which has confirmed that the new CE should serve the remainder of the tenure of his predecessor, should be regarded as the legal foundation by the court.

Hong Kong's NPC delegates and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) delegates also welcomed the interpretation by the NPC Standing Committee on the tenure of the new CE. They said the interpretation has laid a sound foundation for the smooth selection of the new CE on July 10 and avoided the appearance of power vacancy in Hong Kong. In addition, the interpretation could help reduce unnecessary disputes and concentrate on developing economy.

Jiaying Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong firmly supported the interpretation of the NPC Standing Committee. The director of the Chamber said a timely interpretation concerns the smooth by- election of the new CE and the aftermath appointment of the CE by the central government. Over the past weeks, there appeared some disputes over the tenure of the new CE. Then Donald Tsang, the Acting CE, submitted a report to the State Council to request an interpretation, which is timely and completely necessary.

Director of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong Jose Yu Sun-say said his association, together with other organizations caring about Hong Kong affairs, fully supported the interpretation by the NPC Standing Committee. Jose said the commercial sectors did not want to see a disordered society. The interpretation has removed the disputes over the tenure of the new CE, held a possible constitutional crisis at bay, and met the expectation of all the Hong Kong people. It will certainly win support and understanding of the people.