SAR Government's response on amendment of Basic Law

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The former Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association, Mr Edward Chan, SC, said on a radio programme this morning (August 5) that the Basic Law did not state which article could or could not be amended, and citing as an example, noted that the Central Government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government could be persuaded to amend the Basic Law and strike out Article 1. In response to his remarks, a spokesman for the HKSAR Government said that according to Article 159(4) of the Basic Law, no amendment to the Basic Law shall contravene the established basic policies of the People's Republic of China regarding Hong Kong.

In accordance with the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China, the National People's Congress enacted the Basic Law, prescribing the systems to be practised in the HKSAR, in order to ensure the implementation of the basic policies of the People's Republic of China regarding Hong Kong, i.e., "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy. Article 1 of the Basic Law clearly stipulates that the HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China. Therefore, any amendment to the Basic Law shall not touch on this basic policy of the HKSAR being an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China, and shall not be allowed to be used as a means to attain the independence of Hong Kong.

Ends/Friday, August 5, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:53

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