The power to determine Hong Kong’s political structure rests with the National People's Congress, in accordance with the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, the Government said in a statement issued in response to media enquiries on lawmaker Dr Kwok Ka-ki's "Letter to Hong Kong" broadcast by Radio Television Hong Kong today.
The statement pointed out that Dr Kwok's narrative has a serious mis-representation that amendments to Annex I to the Basic Law, which provides for the method for selecting the Chief Executive, must be endorsed by a two-thirds majority of the Legislative Council and that Hong Kong needs only to report the amendments to the NPC, and "the role of the Central Government - through the mechanism of the NPC - is to receive the report".
The statement reiterated that in promulgating the Basic Law, the NPC has laid down Hong Kong’s political structure, including the method for selecting the Chief Executive as contained in Article 45 and Annex I. Annex I clearly states that amendments to the Annex must be endorsed by a two-thirds majority of all LegCo members and the consent of the Chief Executive, and be reported to the NPC Standing Committee for approval.
It is clear that LegCo members have a special constitutional role and responsibility in the process of amending the method to select the Chief Executive; and that the Chief Executive and the NPC Standing Committee have their respective roles, as well, in deciding whether to approve the proposed amendments, the statement added.
The statement noted that it is regrettable that Dr Kwok is confused and unfamiliar with these important concepts.
