Deputy Secretary-General of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Qiao Xiaoyang, the Vice-Chairman of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPCSC Li Fei and the Vice-Minister of the Hong Kong & Macau Affairs Office of the State Council Xu Ze, will continue to meet people from various sectors of the community today.

During their visit to Hong Kong, the three Mainland officials aim to help the Hong Kong community gain a better understanding of the interpretation by the NPCSC of Article 7 of Annex I and Article 3 of Annex II of the Basic Law.

Earlier this morning, the three Mainland officials met with representatives from the legal sector at Government House.

Various views heard: Qiao

Mr Qiao said he had a frank conversation with the participants and he heard views from people who support and disagree with the interpretations.

Through the discussions, he further understood the differences between Hong Kong's law system and the Mainland's, he said, adding that such differences make people of the two places have different views on the interpretations.

Making the two law systems work perfectly with each other is a complicated process and will take a long time, Mr Qiao added.

Describing the discussion as constructive, Chief Secretary Donald Tsang said some participants asked whether the Chief Executive was representative and authoritative enough to submit a report to the National People's Congress Standing Committee.

Mr Tsang stressed that the Constitutional Development Task Force will complete its second report soon and the report - which will cover the views from various sector of the community - will form the basis of the Chief Executive's report.

Gov't tries its best to reflect HK people's view: CS

The Government understands that it is impossible to have the support and consent of every member of the community but it will try its best to make its policies and decisions represent the majority of Hong Kong residents' views, Mr Tsang noted.

This afternoon, the Mainland officials met with Legislative Councillors and other sectors at a seminar at the Hongkong International Trade & Exhibition Centre in Kowloon Bay.

Political reform an internal affair

Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam reiterated that political reform in Hong Kong is China's internal affair.

Mr Lam was responding to comments from the British and US Governments on the interpretation of the Basic Law.

On the constitutional development of Hong Kong, he said, Hong Kong and the Central Government will act according to the Basic Law.

As constitutional development is a complicated issue, Hong Kong needs to seek a consensus in the community and hold discussions with the Central Government.

Hong Kong as an international financial and investment centre has operated well under the 'one country, two systems' principle, Mr Lam noted.