A seminar was held to mark Constitution Day today, attended by about 900 participants from various sectors of the community.

The seminar was jointly hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR to enhance public understanding of the constitutional basis of the country and Hong Kong.

Before the seminar began, all participants stood and observed one minute of silence in memory of the victims of the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po.

Speaking at the Seminar, Chief Executive John Lee first expressed deep condolences to the victims of the fire and offered sincere sympathies to their families and the affected residents.

He said that the Hong Kong KSAR Government is devoting efforts to disaster relief and follow-up support, and will establish an independent committee to conduct a comprehensive review of the incident so as to prevent similar tragedies and meet public expectations.

As for Constitution Day, Mr Lee said the Constitution provides the strongest rule-of-law safeguards and institutional foundation for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and is also the constitutional basis for establishing the Hong Kong SAR.

He also pointed out that Hong Kong must in future fulfil key roles and contributions as follows: safeguarding the Constitution and the Basic Law; better integrating into and serving the overall national development by seizing the national development directives and opportunities for Hong Kong set out in the Recommendations for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan, consolidating and enhancing its status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre, building an international innovation and technology centre as well as a hub for international high-calibre talents, and developing new quality productive forces; and serving as a bridge for exchanges between Chinese culture and world civilisations by telling the true stories of the successful practice of "one country, two systems".

The Chief Executive called on all sectors to work together to build and develop Hong Kong, contribute to the cause of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and vote on December 7 to elect capable and aspiring Legislative Council members who will join the Government in assisting the victims, promoting reforms and building a better home in Hong Kong.

Addressing the seminar, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR Deputy Director Liu Guangyuan said the Constitution provides rule-of-law safeguards for realising the rejuvenation of the nation, lays the legal foundation for Hong Kong to integrate into the grand journey of national rejuvenation, and endows the city with institutional advantages to leverage its strengths in the great cause of national rejuvenation.

Mr Liu emphasised that the Legislative Council election to be held as scheduled will demonstrate observance of and respect for the constitutional order and the spirit of the rule of law, and will provide strong support for maintaining social stability and post-tragedy reconstruction work.

The poll represents the most responsible attitude towards Hong Kong's future, he added.

The full version of the seminar will be uploaded to the Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Bureau website for the public to review.

Click here for details of Constitution Day.