BEIJING, May 27 (Xinhua) -- The political system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is neither one of separation of powers nor a legislative-led or judiciary-led system, top legislator Zhang Dejiang said Saturday.
It is an executive-led system with the chief executive at its core, said Zhang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, while addressing a high-ranking symposium to commemorate the 20th anniversary of implementing the Basic Law of the HKSAR in Beijing.
The HKSAR team of public officers formed in accordance with the Basic Law must be composed of patriots who respect the Chinese nation, wholeheartedly support the motherland's resumption of exercise of its sovereignty over Hong Kong, and will not do things that undermine Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, Zhang said.
"The chief executive, who is at the core of the political system, must be a person who loves the country and Hong Kong, has the trust of the central government, is capable of exercising governance, and is supported by the Hong Kong people," he said.
The central government has the responsibility of supervision to ensure that HKSAR public officers support the Basic Law and are loyal to the country and HKSAR, Zhang added.
The top legislator stressed that the constitutional order of HKSAR on the basis of the Constitution and the Basic Law should be firmly upheld.
The Constitution which is China's fundamental law, and the HKSAR Basic Law enacted according to the Constitution, form the constitutional basis of the political power structure, political operation and social governance system of the HKSAR.
The interpretation and application of all HKSAR laws, including common law and other laws previously in force in Hong Kong, must be based on the Basic Law and shall not contravene it, Zhang noted.
He pledged efforts to fully leverage the institutional strength of the high degree of autonomy mandated by the Basic Law, saying the practice of one country, two systems represents the biggest strength of Hong Kong.
"Some people have misunderstood the difference between the two systems, and created and exaggerated tension between the two systems out of political motive," said the top legislator.
"What they do runs counter to the Basic Law, and we should expose their true nature and say no to them," Zhang added.
