Tung Chee Hwa, Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) met on May 16 James Andrew Kelly, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs and exchanged views on current economic and political situations in Hong Kong and discussed the economic and trade relations between the two sides.

In terms of HK political situation, Tung said Hong Kong will deal with the way of the election of HKSAR Chief Executive in 2007 and that of the Legislative Council in 2008 according to the interpretations and decisions made by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. The government will continue to solicit public opinions from all walks of life and is confident to make the most suitable arrangements of the election in 2007 and 2008.

Tung stressed, the general election still remains the ultimate goal of Hong Kong's political system. Meanwhile, the government will continue to maintain ruling by law, safeguard the various freedoms stipulated by the Basic Law, and guarantee that transparency and accountability system be maintained.

(People's Daily May 17, 2004)