The Basic Law does not ban female indigenous inhabitants from inheriting New Territories land, a senior Chinese official said yesterday.
Xu Ze , the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office Political Affairs Department chief, said a repeal of the New Territories Land (Exemption) Ordinance had not been suggested because the Basic Law did not limit the inheritance of land to males only.
'The New Territories' residents believe their traditional custom has not been respected,' said Mr Xu, 'but the Basic Law has not stated women cannot inherit the lands of their ancestors.' He urged the Heung Yee Kuk, which opposes the ordinance, to calm down.
Heung Yee Kuk chairman Lau Wong-fat said he disagreed with Mr Xu's explanation. 'But if the National People's Congress Standing Committee decides not to scrap the law, we'll respect its decision.'
