Participants at a Beijing seminar on Friday held that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Basic Law guarantees Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability.

The seminar marking the 14th anniversary of the Basic Law's enactment was attended by vice chairmen of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Wang Zhaoguo and Sheng Huaren, State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan, vice chairpersons of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Liao Hui and Liu Yandong, as well as some HKSAR deputies to the National People's Congress and HKSAR's members of the CPPCC National Committee.

Sheng Huaren, also secretary-general of the NPC Standing Committee, said late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping's "one country, two systems" concept was put into practice in Hong Kong through the Basic Law as an integral legal framework.

The Basic Law, based on China's Constitution, is a national law promulgated by the NPC, and enjoys constitutional status in Hong Kong, he said.

The implementation of the Basic Law requires adherence to the "one country" principle and safeguarding of national sovereignty, he said, noting the premise of "one country, two systems" is "one country," which refers to the People's Republic of China.

The concept of "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" means patriots, the majority of Hong Kong people, govern Hong Kong, he said, adding the central government's non-interference in HKSAR's internal affairs on the basis of the Basic Law does not mean the central government disregards crucial issues concerning national sovereignty and security.

Any activity by a small number of people in the HKSAR related to attempts to split the motherland will not be allowed, he said. The central government will stick to the Basic Law and fully support Tung Chee-hwa, HKSAR chief executive.

(China Daily March 13, 2004)