The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government will listen to the views of the public and act according to the principles of the Basic Law in dealing with the issue of constitutional development beyond 2007, said an official on Friday.

Speaking to reporters, Hong Kong's Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam said the HKSAR government will make full use of the next three years in dealing with the issue of constitutional development beyond 2007.

"As a pluralistic society, Hong Kong has a variety of views on the pace of constitutional development. We will listen closely to views from all sectors in the process. We will also act according to the principles of the Basic Law in dealing with this issue," said Lam.

"We will act according to the principle of gradual and orderly progress and have regard to the actual situation in Hong Kong. It is our intention to work closely with all parties concerned in the hope of building consensus on the way forward," he added.

The Basic Law has set out a blueprint for Hong Kong's constitutional development for the first 10 years after the establishment of the HKSAR.

"Beyond 2007, if we wish to change the system for electing the chief executive, then we need to have two-thirds majority support in the Legislative Council. We need to have the consent of the chief executive and we need to have the approval of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. If we need to change arrangements for forming the Legislative Council, then we need to report any proposed change and proposed amendment to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for the record," said Lam.

"Constitutional change is a most important aspect of how this community develops. It is important that we have a wide discussion and it is important that it is up to the legislature, which represents different constituencies and represents the community, to reflect their views and to try to forge consensus in that regard," said Lam.

(Xinhua News Agency January 2, 2004)