Professionals and scholars from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao have held a discussion on Hong Kong's Basic Law and constitutional development at a seminar to mark the 25th anniversary of the Basic Law.

Lau Siu Kai, vice chairman of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies, says the central government has the final say on Hong Kong's constitutional development.

He adds that Hong Kong's democratic development should explore a path according to its own conditions.

"Hong Kong's democratic development can't only consider the appeals and needs of itself, but also the impact of democratization on the Chinese mainland and the whole country. So the central government and mainland compatriots are also the stakeholders in Hong Kong's democratic development."

Rao Geping, member of the Hong Kong Basic Law Committee hopes Hong Kong can make a rational choice for its constitutional development.

"Hong Kong's democratic system has been established since its return to the motherland in accordance with the Basic Law. The method of universal suffrage, proposed by the HKSAR government, is the most democratic solution in its history. The article 45 of the Basic Law on universal suffrage stipulates that Hong Kong's universal suffrage is formed by both the nominating committee and 'one person, one vote' method, both of which are indispensable. I think Hong Kong residents should know where the real interests of Hong Kong lie and use rational judgement."

Meanwhile, a book named "Aspects of Hong Kong's Basic Law", compiled by 18 professionals from the mainland and Hong Kong, was also launched at the seminar.

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