Press call: Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa, flanked by Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang, Secretary for Justice Elsie Leung and Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam, briefs the media on the Basic Law interpretations.

Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa says the National People's Congress Standing Committee has made the "most authoritative interpretation" of the two Basic Law annexes, and it has been done on statutory grounds.

In making its interpretation, the committee has generally accepted the five key positions set out by the Constitutional Development Task Force in its first report.

Mr Tung said Hong Kong's constitutional development is a matter for both Hong Kong and the Mainland, and the latter has the "authority and responsibility" to handle the issue in the overall interest of Hong Kong.

The interpretation ensures no legal vacuum will arise should no consensus on Hong Kong's constitutional development be reached.

Mr Tung added the task force will carefully study the interpretation and plan its next stage of work.

2nd report for submission in mid-April

The task force will proceed with its second report for submission to the Chief Executive in mid-April and then the Central Government as soon as possible.

The report will be made public and reflect honestly and comprehensively the views of various sectors in Hong Kong as well as the Government's position.

Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang said: "That should assist the Chief Executive and the Central Government in considering the need to amend the methods for the selection of the Chief Executive in 2007 and for the formation of the Legislative Council in 2008."

Hong Kong will now have a statutory basis to discuss the electoral arrangements for 2007 and 2008, methods for selecting the Chief Executive and forming the Legislative Council.

Enough time to amend laws

Mr Tsang said: "This does not mean Hong Kong people cannot participate in the discussion on constitutional development, or the Central Government does not place importance on the opinions of Hong Kong. The initiative remains with Hong Kong."

Once the Central Government has affirmed the methods for selecting the Chief Executive, the Government will still have adequate time to consult the public and amend laws concerned, he said.

Democratisation of Hong Kong will proceed in accordance with the Basic Law. What Hong Kong needs to do, Mr Tsang said, is "discuss matters in a rational and peaceful fashion to reach a consensus".

Officials to speak in Hong Kong

Mainland officials will arrive in Hong Kong tomorrow to explain and answer questions on the interpretations. They have been invited to meet representatives from the academic and legal fields, as well as different sectors of the community.

They are Standing Committee Deputy Secretary General Qiao Xiaoyang, Vice Chairman of the Commission of Legislative Affairs Li Fei, and HK & Macau Affairs Office Deputy Director Xu Ze.