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In response to press enquiries concerning remarks made by the Chairman of the Democratic Party, Mr Martin Lee yesterday, a Government spokesman said today (Thursday) that the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, met members of political parties from time to time to listen to their views on important issues.

The spokesman said meetings were held in May this year with representatives of political parties as well as the Hong Kong Bar Association and the Law Society of Hong Kong to exchange views on the right of abode issue.

Earlier in January, Mr Tung also met representatives of political parties to discuss matters of their concern.

"There is no question of the Chief Executive discriminating against any political parties," the spokesman said.

In addition to meetings with the Chief Executive, the spokesman noted that there had always been regular and close communications between SAR Government officials and members of the Legislative Council.

"Through existing mechanisms, Government officials attend LegCo meetings on a regular basis to brief members on Government policies and decisions, to answer questions and to respond during motion debates."

With regard to a new constitutional order referred to in an article by the Secretary for Justice, the spokesman said Article 8 of the Basic Law explicitly provided for the continuation of the legal system previously in force in Hong Kong. After the Handover, Hong Kong remains a common law jurisdiction.

In the article appearing in Sing Tao Jih Pao on July 19, the Secretary for Justice had emphasized that it would be inconsistent with the principle of "one country, two systems" to introduce the Mainland's legal system to Hong Kong.

End/Thursday, July 22,1999

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