Hong Kong people planning to participate in the July 1 procession should march for the celebration of the seventh anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.

Tsang Hin-chi, a member of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, made the remark in Beijing Monday while attending an NPCSC meeting.

The door to communication with the central government is always open, yet the "pro-democracy" camp should demonstrate their sincerity, he said.

"With regard to the procession on July 1, I hope everybody will march to celebrate Hong Kong's return to China for the seventh year," he suggested.

The NPCSC has already made a decision on electoral arrangements in 2007/08, which ruled out universal suffrage in the two years.

"The decision is legally bound. As Hong Kong is subject to the rule of law, the society should respect the rule of law," he told reporters.

Tsang said it would be inappropriate any longer for participants of the July 1 rally to shout slogans demanding universal suffrage in 2007/08.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Donald Tsang -- replying to a question on the July 1 march -- stressed Monday that people in Hong Kong treasure the relationship with the central government.

"I trust they will deal with the issue rationally," Tsang said.

He was leading a Hong Kong business delegation on a visit to Shaoguan of Guangdong Province.

Earlier, Assistant Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong, Wang Rudeng, said on Sunday that July 1 was a date for celebration and staging protests would not help communication between the "pro-democracy" camp and the central government.

Executive Councillor Leung Chun-ying pointed out that there still appeared to be a wide gap between the "pro-democracy" camp and the central government.

Ma Lik, chairman of the Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong, said what Hong Kong most needs now is harmony and stability.

"We've noted that the opposition has asked for reconciliation and Tung Chee-hwa is willing to render his efforts in creating social harmony," Ma said after meeting the chief executive with his party colleagues.

In another development, a poll by Chinese University of Hong Kong suggested Monday that about 300,000 people may take part in the July 1 procession.

(China Daily HK Edition June 22, 2004)