- Title: Hong Kong leader voices support for Beijing’s interpretation of Basic Law
- Date: 7th November 2016
- Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (NOVEMBER 7, 2016) (REUTERS) ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE, LEUNG CHUN-YING, SECRETARY FOR JUSTICE OF HONG KONG, RIMSKY YUEN, AND OFFICIALS WALKING IN FOR NEWS CONFERENCE MEDIA NEWS CONFERENCE IN SESSION (SOUNDBITE) (English) HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE, LEUNG CHUN-YING, SAYING: "I and the SAR (Special Administrative Region), government will support the interpretation passed by the NPCSC (National People's Congress Standing Committee) today. As the Chief Executive of the SAR, I have the duty to implement the Basic Law of Hong Kong in accordance with article 48 of the Basic Law. I and the SAR government will implement the interpretation fully. Hong Kong is an inalienable part of the country. The Hong Kong people have the duty to uphold national unity, territorial integrity, and security, as well as the dignity and interests of the Chinese people." MEDIA FILMING (SOUNDBITE) (English) SECRETARY FOR JUSTICE OF HONG KONG, RIMSKY YUEN, SAYING: "The power is vested in the NPCSC to explain the legislation, including national legislation such as the Basic Law. And also, in Hong Kong, the Basic Law deals with various aspects, including, among others, judicial independence on the one hand, and the interpretation of the Basic Law by the Standing Committee of the People's Congress. So in other words, both judicial independence and interpretation can coexist." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE, LEUNG CHUN-YING, SAYING: "The view of the Chinese government is that they need to deal with this situation in a timely manner because for any country, matters related to sovereignty, unity and territory integrity are of utmost importance." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Cantonese) HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE, LEUNG CHUN-YING, SAYING: "The central government is very concerned for Hong Kong's welfare and fully supports the city's development and aims to protect the city's stability. There has been comprehensive conversations on all sides with people holding different views and opinions." NEWS CONFERENCE IN SESSION
- Embargoed: 22nd November 2016 07:53
- Keywords: China Hong Kong independence basic law mini constitution
- Location: HONG KONG, CHINA
- City: HONG KONG, CHINA
- Country: Hong Kong
- Topics: Lawmaking,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA00157G2KHX
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said on Monday (November 7) that he supports Beijing's interpretation of Hong Kong's oath-taking law.
China's parliament passed a ruling on Monday that effectively bars two Hong Kong pro-independence politicians from taking office, Beijing's most direct intervention in the territory's legal and political system since 1997 handover.
The National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing ruled that lawmakers must swear allegiance to Hong Kong as part of China and that candidates would be disqualified if they changed the wording of their oath of office or if they failed to take it in a sincere and solemn manner.
While the controversial decision effectively bars the two pro-independence Hong Kong politicians from being sworn in, a court in the Chinese-ruled city must still rule on the case, taking Beijing's decision into consideration.
"As the Chief Executive of the SAR, I have the duty to implement the Basic Law of Hong Kong in accordance with article 48 of the Basic Law. I and the SAR government will implement the interpretation fully. Hong Kong is an inalienable part of the country. The Hong Kong people have the duty to uphold national unity, territorial integrity, and security, as well as the dignity and interests of the Chinese people," Leung said.
The move came after pro-independence politicians Yau Wai-ching, 25, and Baggio Leung, 30, pledged allegiance to the "Hong Kong nation" and displayed a banner declaring "Hong Kong is not China" during a swearing-in ceremony for the city's legislative council in October.
"The view of the Chinese government is that they need to deal with this situation in a timely manner because for any country, matters related to sovereignty, unity and territory integrity are of utmost importance," Leung said.
Hong Kong justice secretary Rimsky Yuen said he still believed the oath-taking controversy could be resolved locally, but he also had every confidence that the city's judiciary would uphold the rule of law.
The prospect of the ruling had sparked protests in the former British colony on Sunday (November 6). Foreign diplomats were watching closely, stressing the importance of the rule of the law to the city's international reputation.
The promotion of independence has long been taboo in Hong Kong, governed under a "one country, two systems" principle since 1997, amid fears in Beijing it could spread among other activists and challenge the central government's rule. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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