Rational exchange: National People's Congress Standing Committee Deputy Secretary-General Qiao Xiaoyang speaks at the Basic Law seminar in Kowloon Bay.

National People's Congress Standing Committee Deputy Secretary-General Qiao Xiaoyang has called for rational discussion, constructive interaction and frank exchange so a consensus can be reached on Hong Kong's constitutional development.

Addressing legislators and other sectors at a seminar at the International Trade & Exhibition Centre in Kowloon Bay today, Mr Qiao said as Hong Kong is a pluralistic society with very different understandings and views on various issues, it is necessary for the committee to interpret the Basic Law to ensure the city's constitutional development.

He said the opinions he has gathered in Hong Kong were in general positive, but there are also radical views on the interpretation. Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang has told him of the doubts and worries of some people.

On the One Country, Two Systems principle, Mr Qiao said One Country is the premise in the governance of Hong Kong. The Central Government has jurisdiction over matters involving its relationship with Hong Kong, including constitutional development.

The Central Government will not tolerate people using Hong Kong's autonomy as an excuse to create confusion and chaos, he said.

The interpretation will not affect the democratisation of Hong Kong, but will facilitate its development within the framework of the Basic Law.

Future interpretations possible

Responding to participants' questions, Mr Qiao said he cannot rule out the possibility of future interpretations because the committee is empowered by the constitution to do so. And the committee has constitutional responsibilities.

He agreed the interpretations cannot solve all the issues concerned, but he felt the remaining items can be solved through wide consultation and discussion.

Noting the committee has built a "bridge" for Hong Kong, Mr Qiao hopes the city will eventually find its own solution which will be widely accepted.

When asked why the Legislative Council cannot submit a report to the committee, he said Hong Kong's political system is an executive-led system and therefore only the Chief Executive can submit the report.

Mr Tsang said the Constitutional Development Task Force will submit its second report in mid-April and he hopes it will help the Chief Executive draft his report.

Noting the Chief Executive will give top priority to the issue, Mr Tsang said the report to be submitted to the committee will only cover principle issues rather than constitutional proposals.