****************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Working Group on Overseas Community of the Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee:
The Working Group on Overseas Community of the Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee today (July 25) launched a new publication on the Basic Law to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
Officiating at the launching ceremony at the Hong Kong City Hall, the Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, said that learning about the modern history of Hong Kong, the rationale of the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and the enactment of the Basic Law is helpful in enhancing public understanding of the Central Government's established basic policies regarding Hong Kong, the meaning of the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and the relationship between "One Country" and "Two Systems".
Mr Leung pointed out that it is important to take a macro as well as a detailed approach to learning the Basic Law.
"The macro approach entails learning about the relationship between the Central Government and the HKSAR, how the Basic Law sets the parameters for Hong Kong's political system, economic and external affairs, etc, and offers room for further development.
"The detailed approach involves learning the content and articles of the Basic Law, which will help us to analyse in-depth major issues concerning socio-economic developments."
The chief editor of the new book and convenor of the working group, Miss Maria Tam, introduced the publication at the ceremony. She said the book gives an account of the drafting process of the Basic Law and Hong Kong's return to the Motherland; how the Basic Law serves as a driving force for Hong Kong to move forward; and how Hong Kong, through the successful implementation of the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and the Basic Law, has developed into Asia's world city, maintaining its prosperity and stability.
The book's Chinese title calligraphy was penned by the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Mr Wu Bangguo, while the foreword was contributed by the Deputy Secretary-General of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Mr Qiao Xiaoyang.
An e-version of the new book is available at www.basiclaw.gov.hk.
Ends/Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:10
NNNN
