Hong Kong Secretary for Justice Elsie Leung said Sunday the appointment of the chief executive is clearly the responsibility of the central people's government.

Speaking on Radio, Television Hong Kong's Letter to Hong Kong program, Leung said the Basic Law confers a high degree of autonomy on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), but it does not confer absolute autonomy.

She said Article 158 (1) of the Basic Law provides the power of interpretation of the Basic Law shall be vested in the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

The question of the term of the new chief executive must be determined according to the true meaning of the Basic Law, in accordance with the rule of law.

She said the current dispute over the term of the new chief executive will be resolved in line with the law.

(China Daily March 21, 2005)