Hong Kong's fair and open electoral system is very well-established, and the freedoms of Hong Kong are an example to different societies around the world, said Hong Kong's Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lamhere Saturday.  

"We are one of the freest societies in Asia, and our democratic system has continued to make progress" since Hong Kong's return to the motherland in 1997, Lam said on the upcoming Legislative Council election.

He said that Hong Kong is an international city. It is natural that foreign governments and foreign chambers of commerce are interested in Hong Kong's political developments.

"But I also emphasize that Hong Kong's electoral system is managed according to the Basic Law and Hong Kong laws. And I do hope that foreign governments will continue to respect this basic principle that the politics of Hong Kong are for Hong Kong to manage," he said.

"We have a record number of 159 candidates standing in our election. I hope that this provides a broad enough choice for all registered voters to make their decision. But of course in the final analysis, we respect any decision to be taken by individual voters," he added.

(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2004)