Secretary for Justice of Hong Kong Wong Yan Lung said Friday the enactment of the Basic Law is at the core of the implementation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

Wong and Former Director of Hong Kong Bureau of Xinhua News Agency Zhou Nan delivered speeches around the topic of the 20th Anniversary of the Sino-British Joint Declaration coming into effect at a luncheon commemorate the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce's 105th Anniversary.

In his speech, Wong introduced measures taken to implement the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, including bilingualism in the law, localization of laws, maintaining Hong Kong's international rights and obligations, establishment of the Court of Final Appeal and drafting of the Basic Law.

With the enactment of the Basic Law, "the common law legal system of Hong Kong remains firmly in place; the rule of law is vigorously defended by the government; the Judiciary is strong and independent; and fundamental human rights are fully protected," said the Hong Kong SAR's Secretary for Justice.

He ended his speech by saying that "the prospects for the future (of Hong Kong) are bright."

Speaking at the event, Zhou Nan said that the Sino-British Joint Declaration was an important paper which has far-reaching historical and international meaning.

The idea of "One Country, Two Systems" brought forward by late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping has been crucial to the naissance of this paper.

This idea has embodied the implementation of the high level principle of unification of the motherland and maintenance of the country's sovereignty. It has also allowed the history and reality of Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao to be sufficiently considered which incarnated high level of flexibility.

In retrospect, Hong Kong has went across an uncommon course since the Chinese and British governments began the negotiation of Hong Kong's issue and the signature of Sino-British Joint Declaration.

Zhou summed up three realizations that the courage, verve and farsight that Deng demonstrated in resolving Hong Kong's problem was unusual. He said that "One Country, Two Systems" was a new thing. The successful advance of "One Country, Two Systems" needed our continuous exploration during the process of putting it into practice. Hong Kong people absolutely have the ability to govern the city well and the future of Hong Kong should be created by themselves, he added.

Hong Kong will maintain its prosperity and stability, with the guide of "One China, Two Systems" and the joint efforts of the people and government of Hong Kong, said Zhou.

Source: Xinhua