Government's Statement on FCO's Ninth Six-monthly Report on Hong Kong
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In response to media enquiries on Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO)'s ninth six-monthly report on Hong Kong, a Government spokesman said today (July 19), "We note that the UK Government had made a positive assessment about Hong Kong. The HKSAR 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."
The spokesman said that the HKSAR 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, 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.
"The essential rights and freedoms of HKSAR residents are well protected by law. Under Article 39 of the Basic Law, the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong have remained in force."
On the Chief Executive Election Ordinance passed by the Legislative Council on July 11, the spokesman said the power of the Central People's Government to remove the Chief Executive from office would be exercised in accordance with the Basic Law.
"Domestic legislation such as the Ordinance just enacted will not and cannot affect what is provided for under the Basic Law and will certainly not infringe on Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy.
On the report's observation on Falun Gong, the spokesman said that under the "One Country, Two Systems" provided for under the Basic Law, the HKSAR Government remained firmly committed to the protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Hong Kong people.
End/Thursday, July 19, 2001
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