The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government spokesman said Thursday, "It is the unshirkable duty of the present government to pursue democratic advancement in accordance with the Basic Law."

The spokesman said the HKSAR government will start listening to and collecting public views as soon as possible and adopt an open and receptive attitude and encourage discussions amongst various sectors of the community.

He said that the government will strive to build a consensus on the way forward in the principle of gradual and orderly progress and in the light of Hong Kong's reality as stipulated in the Basic Law.

The spokesman made the remarks concerning the procession Thursday. He said that one of the major aspirations of the participants of the procession is to speed up the pace of democratic development.

Hong Kong is a pluralistic society, and there are different views on the pace of constitutional development, said the spokesman, adding that the government will make full use of the coming three years to address the issues of constitutional development after 2007.

He noted that steady development and economic prosperity can only be achieved in a stable environment.

(Xinhua News Agency January 1, 2004)