| Government's Statement on FCO's Eighth Six-monthly Report on Hong Kong |
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In response to media enquiries on Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO)'s eighth six-monthly report on Hong Kong, a Government spokesman said today (February 28), "We note that the UK Government had made a positive overall assessment about Hong Kong. The HKSAR Government is fully committed to the full and faithful implementation of the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, and the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle."
The spokesman said that the HKSAR Government would continue to exercise a high degree of autonomy and would ensure that the cornerstones of Hong Kong's success remain firmly embedded. These include the rule of law and an independent judiciary, a level playing field, an advanced economic infrastructure and an open society in which all the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Basic Law are respected. "The essential rights and freedoms of HKSAR residents are well protected by law. Under Article 39 of the Basic Law, the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong have remained in force." On democratic developments, the spokesman said that the Basic Law has established the principle of gradual and orderly progress and provides Hong Kong with ten years from 1997 during which we can strengthen the foundation of our political structure and accumulate experience before taking any further steps. It is important that the HKSAR should act in accordance with the principle and timetable set out in the Basic Law. End/Wednesday, February 28, 2001 |