The State Council will ask the National People's Congress Standing Committee to interpret Clause 2 of Basic Law Article 53 on the tenure of the new chief executive.

The Hong Kong & Macau Affairs Office said the council submitted a motion to the committee today. Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam welcomed the move.

Acting Chief Executive Donald Tsang submitted a report to the State Council on April 6 proposing the interpretation to clarify the tenure.

The council held that nailing down the tenure attaches great importance to the accurate implementation of the relevant provisions in the Basic Law, and has a direct bearing on the smooth election of the new chief executive.

The council's timely study of the report and its resolution to request the interpretation shows the council's consistent position of strictly following the Basic Law and sparing no effort in maintaining Hong Kong's stability and prosperity.