Amending the Basic Law would not be conducive to the long-term and overall interests and well-being of Hong Kong.
The Government made the statement today in response to the demands of some procession participants.
It said the Basic Law is the foundation for implementing the policies of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy as well as maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.
Under the protection of the Basic Law and with the support of the country, Hong Kong has all along enjoyed the dual advantages of "one country, two systems", it said, adding the Basic Law also protects and upholds core values such as freedom, human rights, democracy, rule of law and clean governance.
On constitutional development, it said the Government put forward the political reform package in accordance with the Basic Law and National People's Congress Standing Committee decisions. The proposals were in accordance with the constitutional and legal regime, and were reasonable and rational.
However, the motion was vetoed by 28 lawmakers, so Hong Kong's constitutional development has to maintain the status quo as a result, it said.
It would be infeasible, no matter from the perspectives of constitutional procedures or time for legislative work, for the current-term Government to restart the "Five-step Process" in the coming two years.
The statement noted that the issue of constitutional development has created disputes in society. Following the veto of the constitutional development proposals, such disputes should come to an end, it said, adding the community needs time to calm down, put arguments aside and refocus on priority economic and livelihood policies.
The Government will work with different sectors of the community, enhancing communication with them and rebuilding mutual trust, with a view to driving the economic development of Hong Kong forward and resolving livelihood issues in areas including housing, poverty, ageing society and the environment.
