The Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macau Special Administrative Region issued a statement to confirm that it “firmly supports” yesterday’s “Decision of the National People’s Congress on Improving the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s Election System”, pointing out that the decision is an institutional and constitutional arrangement.
The statement noted that, as the highest organ of state power, the National People’s Congress (NPC) has made decisions in accordance with the nation’s Constitution, Hong Kong Basic Law and Hong Kong National Security Law, which embodies the common will of all Chinese people, including Hong Kong and Macau compatriots, and has a solid political foundation and a foundation of the rule of law.
According to the statement, the “decision” clarifies the basic principles and core content that should be followed to modify and improve the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), which conforms to the actual situation and needs of Hong Kong, conforms to the basic international political ethics, and promotes a democratic political system suitable for Hong Kong’s reality.
The statement said that the “decision” of the NPC provides a solid institutional guarantee to ensure the development and full implementation of the fundamental principle of “patriots governing Hong Kong”, as well as to guarantee that a high degree of autonomy of the HKSAR is in the hands of the patriots.
The statement underlined that the NPC Standing Committee will amend Annex I and Annex II of the Hong Kong Basic Law in accordance with the authorisation of the “decision” to make specific and clear provisions on the election system. Besides, the statement pointed out, the HKSAR will also make corresponding amendments to relevant local laws accordingly.
“Through these important measures, loopholes will be effectively plugged, hidden dangers will be eliminated, and a democratic election system that reflects the overall interests of Hong Kong society and guarantees a broad and balanced political participation of residents will be effective in safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and achieve long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong,” the statement said, adding: “This is of great and far-reaching significance.”
The statement emphasised that since Macau’s return to the motherland in 1999, in strict accordance with the nation’s Constitution and the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) Basic Law, Macau has continuously promoted the successful practice of ‘One Country, Two Systems’ with Macau characteristics, including the development of a democratic political system, and achieved the good situation of “patriots governing Macau.”
The Liaison Office said it firmly believes that Macau will continue to implement the “One Country, Two Systems” policy in a comprehensive and accurate manner, firmly maintain the constitutional order established by the Constitution and the Basic Law, inherit and promote the core values of patriotism and love for Macau, and promote the practice of “One Country, Two Systems” with Macau characteristics to be stable and far-reaching for the greatness of the Chinese nation. The statement concluded that “rejuvenation makes new contributions.”
The director of the Liaison Office, Fu Ziying, is the highest-ranking central government official posted to Macau.
