The Chinese central government maintains that the future constitutional development of Hong Kong must be in line with the Basic Law, Hong Kong Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang said Wednesday.

Reporting on his earlier trip to Beijing in the Legislative Council, Tsang, also head of the Hong Kong Task Force on Constitutional Development, noted the central government attaches great importance to Hong Kong's future constitutional development because it involves the implementation of the Basic Law and the concept of "One Country, Two Systems," the relationship between Hong Kong and the central government, the interests of various sectors of the community, and the long-term stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.

The constitutional development must also be in line with the principle of "gradual and orderly progress" and "we must consider our actual situation," he said.

He added that "we must listen to the central government's view when we handle the selection methods of the Chief Executive and the Legislative Council."

The selection of the Chief Executive and the Legislative Council must be in line with the Basic Law and the concept of "One Country, Two Systems," he stressed.

"Moreover, we should also consider our legal position and the development of capitalism in Hong Kong when dealing with the constitutional issues," he said.

Tsang quoted the Chinese central government as saying that Hong Kong must be run by Hong Kong people who love Hong Kong and the motherland.

The chief secretary said the task force will continue meeting with various groups and individuals until early March. He expressed the hope that the community will discuss the issues rationally and reach a consensus eventually.

People should take Hong Kong's long-term stability and prosperity and various sectors' interests into consideration when discussing Hong Kong's future constitutional development, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency February 12, 2004)