Vice-President Xi Jinping has asked local deputies to the National People's Congress to promote public knowledge of the Basic Law to enhance 'rational discussion' on constitutional reforms.
Xi made the appeal as he met the deputies in Beijing during the state legislature's annual plenary session.
'As members of the highest-power body in the state, Hong Kong deputies to the NPC should explain the Basic Law to people in a way which is in-depth and easy to understand. Many deputies have been working in this regard,' Maria Tam Wai-chu, deputy convenor of the local NPC delegation quoted Xi as saying.
The state leader, who oversees Hong Kong and Macau affairs, said the city's autonomy was empowered by the central government, and that the relationship between Beijing and the special administrative region should be 'appropriately managed'.
Xi also reiterated his hope for Hong Kong people to correctly understand the Basic Law, and to uphold national integrity and security - hopes that he spelled out on Thursday when he met local delegates to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
In his 15-minute speech yesterday, Xi also urged Hong Kong to make use of the economic opportunities brought by external changes and to boost its competitiveness.
There was no mention of the 'de facto referendum', pushed forward by the Civic Party and the League of Social Democrats, during the 11/2 hour closed-door meeting, deputies said. Five legislators from the two parties resigned in January to trigger by-elections in their constituencies, which they hope use as a de facto referendum on the pace and scope of democratisation in Hong Kong. The by-elections are set to be held on May 16, provided there are more than one contestant in each constituency.
