Basic Law leaves room for HK's constitutional development: HK chief executive

Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying speaks at a seminar for the 25th anniversary of the promulgation of the Basic Law in south China's Hong Kong, April 4, 2015. The Basic Law, adopted on April 4, 1990, embodies the vision of "one country, two systems," a pragmatic solution allowing China to incorporate the political and economic complexities of Hong Kong. [Photo/Xinhua]

Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said on Saturday that the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) has left room for the SAR's constitutional development.

Speaking at an event marking the 25th anniversary of the promulgation of the Basic Law, Leung said Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy is an exceptional power granted by the central government, and it's the Basic Law that decides how big the power is.

Leung, a former secretary general of the Basic Law Consultative Committee, said the drafting and consultation of the Basic Law took more than four years, and current social concerns, including election of the chief executive, had already been addressed in the Basic Law.

He recalled that during the discussion on the election of chief executive, no one had said a universal suffrage must include civil nomination.

He pledged that the SAR government would continue to promote the publicity of the Basic Law and urged the entire society to obey the law.

The Basic Law, adopted on April 4, 1990, embodies the vision of "one country, two systems," a pragmatic solution allowing China to incorporate the political and economic complexities of Hong Kong.