Pro-government parties last night supported the NPC Standing Committee's decision to interpret the provisions in the Basic Law concerning changes to electoral methods, while the pro-democracy camp said the move undermined Hong Kong's autonomy.
Democratic Party chairman Yeung Sum said the interpretation of the constitution by the Standing Committee was a high-handed measure to suffocate the process of public consultation.
'They have the right to interpret,' he said. 'But by exercising their right, they destroy our high level of self-autonomy and deal a catastrophic blow to the 'one country, two systems' principle. The international community will also lose confidence in the principle.'
Mr Yeung also said the National People's Congress was attempting to amend the Basic Law. 'The congress has always had the ultimate right to amend the election method of the chief executive. Why are they so worried?' he said.
The decision indicates the central government's apprehension about the Legco election in September, he said.
Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong chairman Ma Lik said the Standing Committee's interpretation could remove any doubts about the Basic Law. It was Mr Ma who, in January, had first raised the need for a clarification, to avoid conflict between Hong Kong with the central government.
