China team to discuss 'HK veto'

Hong Kong's pro-democracy activists condemned Beijing's ruling

Top Chinese officials have arrived in Hong Kong to try and ease concerns over a ruling that gave Beijing a final say over the territory's political future.

The visit comes a day after a Chinese parliamentary committee decided Beijing had a veto over how Hong Kong's leader and legislature should be elected.

It said that while Hong Kong can change its election laws from 2007, it first must obtain approval from Beijing.

Pro-democracy campaigners said the move undermined Hong Kong's autonomy.

HONG KONG RULING Made by the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC) or parliament Of over 150 members of the committee, only one is from Hong Kong The ruling accepts the possibility of political change But its stresses that change must be approved by Beijing

Tuesday's announcement rested on an interpretation of territory's mini-constitution, the Basic Law.

It effectively means that China can veto any moves to give Hong Kong more democracy, such as direct elections for its chief executive.

The territory's chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, told a news conference on Tuesday that the visiting Chinese team would be headed by the deputy secretary general of the Chinese parliament, Qiao Xiaoyang.

Mr Tung - who backs Beijing's position - said that Hong Kong lawmakers would have the chance to exchange view with the Chinese officials.

'No freedom is safe'

But pro-democracy campaigners said that if China was interested in hearing peoples' views, it should have sent officials before the ruling.

Campaigners and legislators said the ruling was aimed at pushing back the prospect of full elections in the former British colony.

A HK delegate (left) called the ruling "mild and very clear"

James To, a Democratic Party legislator, called the decision "illegal", because, he said, it amounted to an amendment of the Basic Law without following the correct procedures.

But Tsang Hin-chi, Hong Kong's only delegate on the standing committee, said the ruling should not cause alarm.

"It is very mild and very clear. People should not blindly oppose it, but put the best interests of Hong Kong people first," Mr Tsang was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying.