An official website on Hong Kong's constitutional development was launched Thursday to enable members of the public to gain a better understanding of the work of the constitutional development task force and to give their views.

To enable members of the public to give their views on the issues of principle and legislative process, these issues have been put in the form of questions and posted onto the website's "Seeking Your Views" page.

Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang said at the launch that the task force understood the concerns of the community on matters relating to constitutional development.

"We will adopt a frank and open attitude in listening to the views of all sectors of the community on the issues of principle and legislative process in the Basic Law relating to constitutional development," Tsang said.

"The task force will help the public understand the views of the Central Authorities, reflect the community's views to the Central Authorities, and carry out constitutional development on the basis of a common understanding between the Central Authorities and the government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region regarding the Basic Law."

The website also contains the latest information on, and serves as a resource base for, information relating to constitutional development. It includes the task force's briefing to the Legislative Council on its work and its discussions with the Central Authorities, relevant Legislative Council papers, speeches and press releases.

Members of the public are welcome to send their views on the issues by clicking on the questions on website, sending e-mails, fax or writing to the constitutional development task force secretariat.
 
(Xinhua News Agency February 21, 2004)