BEIJING would opt for re-interpreting the Basic Law to help resolve the right of abode crisis, according to a pro-Beijing political heavyweight.
A member of the influential Basic Law Committee, Maria Tam Wai-chu, said re-interpreting the mini-constitution would be the quickest and most effective way.
Ms Tam, also a National People's Congress delegate and Basic Law drafter, said amending the mini-constitution or re-interpreting it were the only practicable options to halt the influx of 1.67 million migrants.
But she said: 'The NPC passed a resolution on the interpretation of residency in March 1997.
'In view of that, I believe the central Government would opt against amending the Basic Law.
'And the only option left will be re-interpretation,' Ms Tam said on an RTHK forum.