Speaking at the Legislative Council meeting, the Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam said "We should look forward and fulfill our constitutional obligation under the Basic Law to pass the national security bill into law.

"At the same time, we should continue to implement the principles of 'One Country, Two Systems' and 'Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong' and protect the human rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people."

Lam also said that government officials and Legislative Councilors should all make their best endeavors to widen the common ground in furthering Hong Kong's constitutional development beyond 2007.

According to a government press release, Lam held that overcoming the challenge of building consensus was much more meaningful and important than public demonstrations.

"Securing consensus on constitutional development would require political wisdom, courage and resolution," he said.

Lam firmly believed that if all parties concerned were willing to go down the route of building consensus, there would be hope and a future for Hong Kong's constitutional development.

(Xinhua News Agency June 26, 2003)