'Reasonable' for Article 23 talk in Beijing

It is reasonable to discuss Basic Law Article 23 legislation with Beijing, Paul Lam Ting-kwok said at the airport as he headed to the capital yesterday for his first official visit as Secretary for Justice.

Lam said authorities have a timetable on Article 23 legislation, which will mean the constitutional duty will be completed this year or next at the latest.

"I will visit various ministries during my trip to Beijing, and we will look into many issues," Lam also said.

"The central government and the SAR government are very concerned about matters related to our constitutional duty, including Article 23, so it is reasonable and natural that such matters are to be discussed."

Lam said he will also discuss topics related to the SAR's legal system and legal profession, especially on how the legal systems of both sides can operate together.

"I hope we can make good use of Hong Kong's legal system and our advantages to implement the top priority of the principle of one country, two systems, including safeguarding our national security and to promote the development interests of our country," he added.

During his five-day trip Lam will call on the Legislative Affairs Commission and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Basic Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the National Supervisory Commission, the Ministry of Justice, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council.

He will also meet with the senior officials to strengthen exchanges and cooperation on legal and dispute resolution services to fully leverage Hong Kong's advantages of enjoying the strong support of the country and being closely connected to the world under one country, two systems, contributing to the promotion of the rule of law development of China and the SAR.

Meanwhile, Executive Council member Ronny Tong Ka-wah said the SAR administration will not conduct a long consultation on Article 23 legislation but will establish a framework beforehand.

"This is not a matter of livelihood," he said. "These are principles about safeguarding the basic national interest."

sophie.hui@singtaonewscorp.com