Clear stance: Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa says the Government has no plan to start legislative procedures for implementing Article 23 of the Basic Law.

The Government's top priorities are to revitalise the economy and work out methods for selecting the Chief Executive in 2007 and forming the Legislative Council in 2008.

Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa said there is no plan to start the legislative procedures for implementing Article 23 of the Basic Law.

Speaking to the media today, Mr Tung said there are concerns among political groups on issues relating to Article 23, and stressed the Government's stance is clear: There is no timeline for the enactment of the legislation.

The Government withdrew the National Security (Legislative Provisions) Bill from the legislative programme in September last year to allow sufficient time for the community to study the enactment question.

The Government will consider taking the proposals to implement Article 23 only when the community has reached a broad consensus on the issue, the economy is fully recovered and successfully restructured, and arrangements for Hong Kong's constitutional development are made, he added.

Secretary for Justice says lawmakers' support needed 

Secretary for Justice Elsie Leung said earlier today the Government will move ahead with proposals to implement Article 23 only when there is public consensus and lawmakers' support.

Ms Leung noted there were lengthy discussions in the Legislative Council on the issue last year and about 50 revisions were made to the proposals.

While the Government does not have a timeline for the legislative programme, the issue should be widely discussed in the community and have the Legislative Council's support before it is taken forward, Ms Leung said.

The Security Bureau will make a decision on the time schedule and the consultation details, she added.