A group of Beijing officials met with more than 40 Hong Kong professionals mainly from the academic sector at Government House Wednesday.

The meeting marked the beginning of Beijing's attempt to exchange views and seek consensus with the local community on the interpretation of the Basic Law by the country's top legislature.

The event came on the heels of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC) giving an interpretation of electoral procedures of the Basic Law on Tuesday.

The visitors included NPCSC Deputy Secretary General Qiao Xiaoyang, its Legislative Affairs Commission Vice-Chairman Li Fei and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office Deputy Director Xu Ze.

"It was a very successful meeting and we were enlightened," Qiao said after Wednesday's meeting.

"It was successful in that all speakers at the seminar considered the interpretation as necessary, fair and reasonable. I feel we have reached a consensus," Qiao told reporters.

In addition, participants were concerned about the timetable of universal suffrage.

Some were worried that the interpretation may trigger irrational behaviour and harm Hong Kong's stability.

"All in all, we listened to a lot of views, giving us a deeper understanding of how Hong Kong people think of the interpretation," Qiao said.

Chief Secretary Donald Tsang, who presided at the seminar, said that both the central and SAR governments value full exchanges with the public on the matter of political reform.

The meetings between central government officials and representatives of the Hong Kong community can help give citizens a more clear and thorough understanding of the interpretation.

"I hope Hong Kong people can look forward, continue rational discussions and find the best solution for constitutional development," Tsang said.

Executive Council member Leung Chun-ying, who attended the seminar as a professional from the surveyor sector, told China Daily that central government officials explained the NPCSC interpretation systematically and convincingly.

Wilson Fung, vice-president of the Hong Kong Medical Association, said the meeting had a positive impact as it could help allay worries over the interpretation.

Sung Lap-kung, senior lecturer in the School of Continuing and Professional Education at City University of Hong Kong, said many speakers asked about the timetable of political reform and urged the central authorities to give a reasonable answer.

Other attendants quoted Qiao as saying that Hong Kong and the mainland belong to the same family and the central government would consider the practical needs of Hong Kong.

The three senior officials will meet with representatives from the legal sector and members of the Legislative Council today.

Earlier Wednesday, Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam told reporters that the visit by the Beijing officials would enhance mutual understanding between Hong Kong people and the central authorities.

He added that the NPCSC interpretation was pretty much in line with the understanding of the Task Force on Constitutional Development on the legal procedures concerned.

"I believe that Hong Kong people will understand eventually the interpretation has helped resolve some practical and important problems in Hong Kong and established a set of legal procedures, giving a push to the city's political reform," Lam said.

(China Daily HK Edition April 7, 2004)