Hong Kong's fair and open electoral system is very
well-established, and the freedoms of Hong Kong are an example to
different societies around the world, said Hong Kong's Secretary
for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lamhere
Saturday.??
"We are one of the freest societies in Asia, and our democratic
system has continued to make progress" since Hong Kong's return to
the motherland in 1997, Lam said on the upcoming Legislative
Council election.
He said that Hong Kong is an international city. It is natural
that foreign governments and foreign chambers of commerce are
interested in Hong Kong's political developments.
"But I also emphasize that Hong Kong's electoral system is
managed according to the Basic Law and Hong Kong laws. And I do
hope that foreign governments will continue to respect this basic
principle that the politics of Hong Kong are for Hong Kong to
manage," he said.
"We have a record number of 159 candidates standing in our
election. I hope that this provides a broad enough choice for all
registered voters to make their decision. But of course in the
final analysis, we respect any decision to be taken by individual
voters," he added.
(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2004)