The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) said Wednesday that the latest report on Hong Kong compiled by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office made "a positive assessment" of developments in the SAR.
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw presented the bi-annual report to Parliament on July 23, following his visit to the city last week.
"We note that the UK Government has again made a positive assessment of developments in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is fully committed to the full and faithful implementation of the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, and the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle," a government spokesman said in response to media inquiries on the British report.
With the introduction of the accountability system for principal officials, the spokesman was confident that the SAR governance would be improved and the government would have a better grasp of public opinions and be more responsive to public sentiments. The much cherished civil service, which was permanent, stable, meritocratic, professional, clean and politically neutral, would be maintained, he added.
"The introduction of the accountability system will bring about a more open, accountable and effective government and at the same time, preserve the strengths and core values of the civil service system," the spokesman said.
Turning to the constitutional development in the SAR, the spokesman commented that people from various sectors of the community, while sharing a common goal to develop a system which would be in the long-term interest of Hong Kong and acceptable to the community at large, hold different views on the pace of democratic reform.
"We will continue to listen to the views of different sectors of the community and conduct a review at the appropriate time. Decisions will be made only after extensive consultation," the spokesman said.
On the rights of demonstration, the spokesman said that it is necessary for all metropolitan cities to have laws on assemblies for maintaining a proper balance between one's rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and the wider interest of the community. These provisions are particularly important for a small yet crowded place like Hong Kong.
"Since July 1, 1997, more than 10,000 public meetings and processions have been held in Hong Kong. This shows that people are free to enjoy the freedom of expression and assembly in Hong Kong," he said.
Commenting on the proposal to introduce legislation to implement Article 23 of the Basic Law, under which the SAR government would enact laws on its own to deal with a number of acts against the state, the spokesman said that Hong Kong needs laws to ensure its security just like any other place in the world.
"In drawing up our proposals, we will take into account the provisions of the Basic Law guaranteeing our various freedoms and the continued application to Hong Kong of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. We will consult the public widely when our proposals to implement Article 23 of the Basic Law are ready," the spokesman said.
The spokesman concluded that the Hong Kong government would continue to exercise a high degree of autonomy and would ensure that the cornerstones of Hong Kong's success remain firmly embedded.
These include the rule of law and an independent judiciary system, a level playing field, an advanced economic infrastructure and an open society in which all the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Basic Law are respected, he elaborated.
(China Daily July 25, 2002)
