The Constitutional Development Task Force will leave for Beijing tomorrow afternoon to discuss issues relating to constitutional development in Hong Kong with the Mainland authorities.

Led by Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang, the task force will meet with the HK & Macau Affairs Office and the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on February 9 and 10.

They will also meet with Mainland legal experts during their stay in Beijing.

Accompanying Mr Tsang, Secretary for Justice Elsie Leung and Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam on the visit will be Permanent Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Clement Mak; Principal Assistant Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Julina Chan; Administrative Assistant to the Chief Secretary for Administration So Kam-shing; and Press Secretary to the Chief Secretary for Administration Cathy Chu.

Mr Tsang, Ms Leung, Mr Lam and other Government officials will return to Hong Kong on Tuesday evening.

HK people's view will be fully reflected

Speaking to reporters this afternoon, Mr Tsang said the task force would discuss the legal, procedural and principal issues concerning Hong Kong's constitutional development with the Mainland authorities.

The task force will also take the opportunity to convey Hong Kong people's views to the Central Government.

Stressing that any constitutional change must be in line with the Basic Law, Mr Tsang said the task force wanted to clarify the issue with the Mainland authorities as soon as possible so that discussions could proceed on a common understanding.

The task force has met with some 10 groups/individuals so far this year. Most of them think that Hong Kong's constitutional system should be improved, however any changes must comply with the Basic Law and the principal of  "One Country, Two Systems".

In the coming month, the task force will continue meeting various groups and individuals, Mr Tsang said, adding that their views would also be conveyed to the Mainland authorities.

Noting that Hong Kong's constitutional development was a complicated issue, he hoped that the community would continue discussing the issue sincerely and rationally.