HK Chief Executive's loyalty tied to Basic Law

HONG KONG - Hong Kong Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam stressed Friday the requirement that the Chief Executive must love the country and Hong Kong has been made clear in Basic Law provisions.

Speaking to the media, she said under the Basic Law, the Chief Executive must be responsible for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as well as the Central Government, adding that the Chief Executive must faithfully implement the Basic Law and act in accordance with Central Government-issued directives.

"So the spirit underlying all these provisions is very, very clear: that this person can only effectively and faithfully implement the Basic Law, which of course underlines the 'one country, two systems' principle, and will ensure the long-term stability and prosperity of Hong Kong," Lam said.

The Hong Kong government on Wednesday officially kicked off public consultation for a constitutional reform which aims to realize the election of Hong Kong's next Chief Executive by universal suffrage in 2017. The consultation periold will last for five months.