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BEIJING, April 26 (Xinhuanet) -- The decision by
the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee concerning Hong Kong's
elections methods in 2007 and 2008 demonstrate the great importance and concern
of the Central Authorities attached to the constitutional development in the
region, top lawmaker Wu Bangguo said here Monday.
"The central authorities has been very prudent in
handling issues of constitutional development in Hong Kong," Wu, chairman of the
NPC Standing Committee, made the remark upon the adoption of the decision on
issues concerning methods for selecting the HKSAR chief executive in 2007 and
forming the Legislative Council in 2008.
The decision, based on the deliberation of Chief
Executive TungChee Hwa's report and opinions from all circles from Hong Kong,
is"a major policy guideline" the NPC Standing Committee has made in accordance
with law, and will be of tremendous and profound significance to the gradual and
orderly progress of constitutionaldevelopment and long-term prosperity and
stability of the region, Wu pointed out.
The decision also "reflects the persistent stance of
the central authorities in advocating and supporting the development of
democracy in the Hong Kong SAR," he said.
Chinese President Hu Jintao expressed the central
authorities' concern and stance over Hong Kong's constitutional development in a
meeting with Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa in December 2003, which was followed
by a series of research and consultation work by relevant departments of the
central authorities, with opinions from various circles in Hong Kong solicited.
"Every step taken (by the central authorities) has
rigorously accorded with provisions and procedures stipulated by the law," Wu
said.
He quoted late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, designer
of the "one country, two systems," as saying that "Hong Kong's stability,
besides economic prosperity, also means a stable political system."
The establishment and development of a democratic
system in anycountry or region can only be achieved through gradual
advancementand must proceed step by step in line with its actual conditions and
with more and more experiences, Wu stressed.
"It will be vindicated by facts that the decision the
NPC Standing Committee has made is in the overall and long-term interest of the
Hong Kong society and conducive to the maintenanceof the long-term prosperity
and stability of the region," Wu said.Enditem | 
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