Spokesman calls for respect for HK's political system

BEIJING - A Chinese mainland spokesman on Tuesday called on parties in Taiwan to respect Hong Kong's development of political system and the achievements of the "one country, two systems" policy.

Ma Xiaoguang of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office made the remarks when he was asked to comment on reactions in Taiwan to the Aug. 31 decision of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee on Hong Kong's electoral system.

"It is wrong for a few people in Taiwan to try to use the decision as a pretext to discredit the 'one country, two systems' policy, impair Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and hinder development of cross-Strait ties," the spokesman said.

The decision granted universal suffrage in the selection of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)'s chief executive on the basis of nomination by a "broadly representative" committee.

"This important legal decision is in line with the 'one country, two systems' policy and the Basic Law of the HKSAR," Ma said. "It also complies with the region's reality and is supported and welcomed by the region's citizens."

"We hope related parties in Taiwan can do more to help maintain Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, promote exchanges and cooperation between Hong Kong and Taiwan and peaceful development of cross-Strait ties," he said.