CS hosts lunch for NPCSC officials

November 22, 2013

Chief Secretary Carrie Lam today hosted a luncheon at Government House in honour of the National People's Congress Standing Committee Deputy Secretary-General and Basic Law Committee Chairman Li Fei and NPCSC Legislative Affairs Commission Vice-Chairperson and Basic Law Committee Vice-Chairperson Zhang Rongshun.
 
Speaking at the luncheon today, Mr Li said to successfully implement the Chief Executive's election by universal suffrage in 2017 is the common aspiration of the Central People's Government, Hong Kong Government and Hong Kong people.
 
The arrangement regarding the universal suffrage for the selection of the Chief Executive in 2017 in accordance with the Basic Law and relevant NPCSC interpretations and decisions is fair and rational, he said.
 
He added that a prospective Chief Executive must love the country and Hong Kong, otherwise the individual would not be able to work with the Central Government in accordance with the Basic Law. This, he said, could dampen the city’s prosperity and the 'One country, two systems' principle.
 
Mr Li hoped the public consultation on methods for selecting the Chief Executive in 2017 and for forming the Legislative Council in 2016 could build up consensus within society.
 
At the invitation of Mrs Lam, Mr Li and Mr Zhang are visiting Hong Kong for three days to exchange views with senior officials, department heads and members of the community on issues relating to the Basic Law and the city's political structure.
 
Mrs Lam welcomed the pair's visit and their contributions on Hong Kong's constitutional development. She said the current-term Hong Kong Government is committed to attaining universal suffrage for the selection of the Chief Executive in 2017, strictly in accordance with the Basic Law and relevant NPCSC interpretations and decisions.