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HK should observe, uphold Basic Law: drafter

Xinhua, June 5, 2015 Adjust font size:

Wang Hanbin, a former senior Chinese legislator and drafter of Hong Kong's Basic Law, called on Hong Kong society to abide by and uphold the Basic Law.

Wang, former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) and deputy director of the drafting committee for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Basic Law, made the remarks during an interview with Xinhua.

"The HKSAR Basic Law is made according to the Constitution of China and is an embodiment of the 'one country, two systems' policy," said Wang, a well-respected veteran legislator with almost 20 years of experience with the country's top legislature.

Recalling the drafting of the Basic Law, Wang said the process had been "highly open and democratic" and was completed with close cooperation among members from both the mainland and Hong Kong.

The drafting committee consisted of 59 members, 23 from Hong Kong, making up more than one third of the committee, Wang said, illustrating the central government has given full respect to Hong Kong compatriots' opinions.

Also, in January 1989, when the committee voted on the draft, every provision of it, including the law, its appendixes and other related documents, must secure a two-third majority to get passed.

"That is to say, each article of it could by no means be forced through without support of the drafting members from Hong Kong," he explained.

During the drafting process, all committee members were able to voice their opinions unreservedly and, after debates, the members finally reached consensus on major issues, Wang said.

The draft had also been revised and amended upon months of work to solicit opinions from relevant authorities of Hong Kong and other Chinese regions, Wang said.

Credit for the creation of Basic Law should also go to a 180-member counseling committee in Hong Kong which collected the views and opinions of the people of Hong Kong.

After two rounds of massive consultations in the region, the drafting committee made more than 100 modifications to the draft.

Wang pointed out that the drafting of the Basic Law was conducted with the consensus from Hong Kong society and the rule of law in Hong Kong is of crucial importance to the future of the region.

"It requires all parties to respect the history, uphold the rule of law and to discuss and seek solutions for matters regarding the 'one country, two systems' practices in Hong kong on the common basis of the Basic Law," he said. Endi