Interpretation of the Basic Law and other decisions by theChinese National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee simplydoes not involve the question of so called "inconsistency with thehigh degree of autonomy" in Hong Kong, Hong Kong's self-governance,and China was strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to theBritish government's recent comments on the issue.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan made the remarks in BeijingThursday in response to the British government's Six-monthly Reporton Hong Kong Affairs presented to Parliament by the Secretary ofState for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

Since Hong Kong's return to Chinese control seven years ago, theprinciples of "One Country, Two Systems," "Hong Kong peopleadministering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy have beenfully implemented, Kong acknowledged. All basic freedoms and rightslegally granted to Hong Kong residents have also been fullyguaranteed, he said, adding it is known to all that Hong Kong'sdemocratic process is advancing according to the Basic Law.

Kong noted that the development of Hong Kong's democratic systemconcerns not only the implementation of "One Country, Two Systems"and the Basic Law, but also the relationship between China'scentral government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region(SAR), as well as Hong Kong's long-term prosperity andstability.

The interpretation of the annex rules of the Basic Law made bythe NPC Standing Committee and the decision it made on issues ofelecting Hong Kong's Chief Executive in 2007 and forming theLegislative Council (LegCo) in 2008 is legal and necessary, andwill benefit the fundamental interests of the general public inHong Kong as well as the healthy development of Hong Kong'spolitical system, added Kong.

The Chinese government is steadfast with its resolve toimplement the principles of "One Country, two systems," "Hong KongPeople administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy; ithas consistently stood for developing Hong Kong's democratic systemin compliance with specific conditions in Hong Kong, and it isready to work with Hong Kong compatriots under the "One Country,Two Systems" policy to make Hong Kong still more prosperous anddemocratic, the spokesman said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 23, 2004)