White paper points way for HK democracy

Hong Kong must firmly proceed on the democratic path that suits its actual situation, as set out in the white paper "Hong Kong: Democratic Progress Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems", said Liu Guangyuan, commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

He made the remark at a seminar on Wednesday while explaining the significance of the white paper to over 120 representatives of foreign consuls-general and chambers of commerce, business groups, youth leaders and legal experts.

The document, issued on Monday by the State Council Information Office, introduces the development of the democratic system in the Hong Kong SAR, as well as its future direction.

Liu said the white paper is of vital importance to Hong Kong's future development as it highlights major problems concerning Hong Kong's democratic system, refutes anti-China forces' unfounded allegations on the issue and boosts Hong Kong society's confidence in the future development of democracy.

Liu stressed that the Communist Party of China and the central government have continued to promote and advance Hong Kong's democratic system, despite repeated obstructions from anti-China forces.

"The facts have repeatedly shown that progress toward democracy has stalled in Hong Kong because of the local agitators and the external groups behind them," he said.

In developing democracy with Hong Kong features, the SAR must uphold the leadership of the central authorities and make steady progress in accordance with the law, Liu said.

The city also needs to give greater priority to the task of safeguarding national security, and minimize related threats and risks, he added.

It's also important to implement the executive-led political system, ensure balanced political participation, and boost economic development by further integrating it into national development, Liu said.

He added that the Legislative Council election on Sunday fully proved that the electoral system improved by the central government is effective, adding that the Legislative Council has taken on a fresh look with the diversity of its newly elected members.

"The central government's measures helped Hong Kong achieve the major transformation from chaos to stability and brought Hong Kong's democracy back on track," Liu said.

Urging anti-China forces to stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs, Liu said that the central government will continue to promote the development of democracy in Hong Kong and resolutely uphold the fundamental interests of all people in Hong Kong.

Also on Wednesday, central and SAR government officials refuted the criticisms of some foreign countries－including the United States and the United Kingdom－about Sunday's Legislative Council election.

A spokesperson for the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR said in a statement that the West is in no position to point fingers at other jurisdictions' democratic development, given that their own democratic deficiencies have led to various social problems.

Noting that Western countries have strict laws and regulations to prevent foreign interference in their elections, the spokesperson said their smearing of the Hong Kong election further exposed their double standards.

Hong Kong Chief Secretary for Administration John Lee Ka-chiu also denounced foreign interference. Lee said that such meddling will only make the SAR government more vigilant, and further improve the city's legal system in terms of safeguarding national security and upholding "one country, two systems".

Xinhua contributed to this story.