Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa said that a referendum on electoral arrangements for 2007 and 2008 will not be held.

 Speaking after meeting several Legislative Council members on Monday, he said the proposal is not practical and not in accordance with procedures set out in the Basic Law.

"The Basic Law clearly states that changing the methods for selecting the Chief Executive in 2007 and for forming the Legislative Council in 2008 requires a consensus among three parties: two-thirds of the Legislative Council, the Chief Executive and the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress," he said.

Noting that the National People's Congress (NPC) is the country's top legislative body, Tung said Hong Kong should follow its decision. "This is the normal relation between a special administrative region and the Central Government under the principle of ‘One Country, Two Systems’.”

Noting people have different views on the constitutional issue, Tung said the community should follow the NPC Standing Committee's decision made on April 26. He added that it would be inappropriate to try and change the committee's decision.

(Xinhua News Agency November 2, 2004)