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The Central People's Government (CPG) has accepted the report submitted by the Chief Executive concerning the right of abode issue and will approach the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC) for an interpretation of the relevant provisions of the Basic Law, a Government spokesman announced today (Thursday).

The report of the Chief Executive is being made public today. The report refers to the fact that the HKSAR Government's understanding of the true legislative intent of the relevant provisions of the Basic Law is different from the CFA's interpretation and that the effect of the CFA's judgment would place unbearable pressure on the HKSAR.

The spokesman said, "We await the NPCSC's decision and hope that the Central Authorities appreciate the difficulties which the HKSAR faces. We have moved one step closer to a possible long term resolution of the problem.

"The report recalls that the Immigration Ordinance was amended in 1997 in accordance with the SARG's understanding of Articles 22 and 24 of the Basic Law, that these articles reflected CPG's basic policies regarding Hong Kong as set out in Section XIV of Annex I of the Joint Declaration and that the amendments were made in accordance with the 'Opinion on the implementation of Article 24(2) of the Basic Law' adopted by the Preparatory Committee in August 1996.

"The report states that the HKSAR is no longer capable of resolving the problem on its own. In the face of exceptional circumstances, under Articles 43 and 48(2), the Chief Executive has reported to the CPG the problems encountered in the implementation of the Basic Law, and has requested the State Council to approach the NPCSC to interpret Articles 22(4) and 24(2)(3) of the Basic Law according to the true legislative intent.

"We understand that, if the request for interpretation is placed on the agenda, the NPCSC will consult the Basic Law Committee next week. The NPCSC will meet for about one week commencing June 23, 1999. Its decision regarding the request for interpretation will be published after the meeting," the spokesman added.

When the Chief Executive's Report was submitted to the State Council, the HKSARG also put to the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office a summary of opinions expressed by various sectors of the community about the right of abode issue. The summary was prepared by the HKSARG for reference by relevant departments of the Central Authorities. A full set of the summary will be available for inspection by the media at the press conference to be conducted this afternoon.

"With effect from tomorrow (Friday) till July 2, the media and the public can inspect the summary on public opinion at the Information Services Department's press library, Room 701, seventh floor, Murray Building, Garden Road, Central, from 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday and from 9 am to 12 noon on Saturday," the spokesman said.

End/Thursday, June 10, 1999

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