Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa said that a referendum
on electoral arrangements for 2007 and 2008 will not be held.
Speaking after meeting several Legislative Council members on
Monday, he said the proposal is not practical and not in accordance
with procedures set out in the Basic Law.
"The Basic Law clearly states that changing the methods for
selecting the Chief Executive in 2007 and for forming the
Legislative Council in 2008 requires a consensus among three
parties: two-thirds of the Legislative Council, the Chief Executive
and the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress," he
said.
Noting that the National People's Congress (NPC)
is the country's top legislative body, Tung said Hong Kong should
follow its decision. "This is the normal relation between a special
administrative region and the Central Government under the
principle of ‘One Country, Two Systems’.”
Noting people have different views on the constitutional issue,
Tung said the community should follow the NPC Standing Committee's
decision made on April 26. He added that it would be inappropriate
to try and change the committee's decision.
(Xinhua News Agency November 2, 2004)