‘Referendum’ breach of Basic Law
Print Edition
THE central government respects the rights of Hong Kong citizens to voice their opinions, but any act against the region’s Basic Law and decisions of the top legislature can only obstruct universal suffrage, China’s central authorities said yesterday.
The comments were made in a statement released by the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council, which sought to rebuke the “civil referendum” held between June 20-29 in Hong Kong.
According to the statement, the “referendum” was not in line with Hong Kong’s Basic Law and the election procedures set down by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.
“The stance of the central government has been consistent and clear on the development of Hong Kong’s political governance, which is that we resolutely support Hong Kong to develop democracy in incremental steps in accordance with the region’s Basic Law,” it said.
Universal suffrage must be in line with the Basic Law and the decisions made by the top legislature, and election methods must be in line with Hong Kong's real situations, it said.
Any form of “referendum” held in the region is “illegal and invalid” since it has no constitutional and legal basis, it said.
“Our standpoint is firm that the position of chief executive must be shouldered by one who loves both the country and Hong Kong,” it said, adding that the “referendum” would not disturb the central government’s sincerity and determination in lawfully pushing forward the selection of the chief executive by universal suffrage in 2017.
According to the office, the central government fully respects and understands Hong Kong people’s wish for universal suffrage, and such a wish “can only be realized through lawful, rational and down-to-earth discussions among various sides,” it said.
“Any activity in violation of the Basic Law and related decisions of the NPC Standing Committee can only obstruct universal suffrage,” it said.
The office urged the people of Hong Kong to see the nature of those planning and organizing the “referendum,” which is to “pursue self-interests through breaching the rule of law, disturbing Hong Kong’s social order and holding back the progress of universal suffrage.”
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
