NPCSC officials attend seminar

November 22, 2013

NPCSC Deputy Secretary-General and Basic Law Committee Chairman Li Fei and Vice-Chairperson of the NPCSC's Legislative Affairs Commission and Basic Law Committee Vice-Chairperson Zhang Rongshun today attended an internal seminar with Hong Kong Government officials.
 
They exchanged views with politically-appointed officials, permanent secretaries, department heads and Executive Council non-official members about the Basic Law’s stipulations on Hong Kong’s democratic institutions, and principles of designing the city’s political system.
 
Briefing reporters afterwards, Mrs Lam said Mr Li’s thorough and in-depth explanations were about Basic Law statutory provisions and other points of law. 
 
She said implementing universal suffrage in the 2017 Chief Executive Election is a policy priority for the Government, which cannot be solely handled by the Task Force on Constitutional Development, adding she hopes officials can work together.
 
Mrs Lam said the seminar enhanced understanding among officials, who she suggested can push forward constitutional reform through their daily contacts with stakeholders.
 
Mr Li and Mr Zhang then attended a luncheon Mrs Lam hosted, at which Mr Li said he hopes Hong Kong people can use the Basic Law to implement universal suffrage with mutual respect and understanding.
 
He also said Hong Kong society will need to discuss specific arrangements for universal suffrage in the upcoming consultation, including nomination by a committee, and the number of candidates.
 
The Chief Executive must in the end be appointed by the Central Government, he said, adding the Chief Executive is responsible to the Central Government and Hong Kong, and so the post must be held by a person who loves the country and Hong Kong, he added.