The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR on Sunday jointly held a seminar on Constitution Day to enhance public understanding of the constitutional basis and order of the country and Hong Kong. 

About 650 participants from various sectors of the community attended. The seminar themed "Constitution and New Journey of the New Era" aimed to actively explore how the Constitution of the People's Republic of China (the Constitution) takes a more vital role in the development of "One Country, Two Systems" at the critical moment when the country embarks on a new journey and Hong Kong enters a new stage in the new era.

The seminar comprised two parts: a keynote speech and a panel discussion. Deng Zhonghua, President of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, delivered the keynote speech. Chief Executive John Lee and Luo Huining, director of the central government's liaison office in the HKSAR, also gave speeches.

The chief executive said the HKSAR government will further strengthen publicity and education on the Constitution, the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (the Basic Law) and the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Meanwhile, the Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee, led by the chief secretary for administration, has been renamed the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee to underline the importance the government attaches to the promotion of the Constitution and its determination to take forward relevant work. 

Luo highlighted "three musts" in safeguarding the role of the Constitution in the implementation of "One Country, Two Systems."

First, all sectors in Hong Kong should respect and maintain the authority of the Constitution. Second, all sectors in Hong Kong should commit to safeguarding the sovereignty, safety, and development interest of the nation as the ultimate principle. Third, Hong Kong must promote the mainstream values of the core – "be patriotic and love Hong Kong" and the implementation of "One Country, Two Systems." 

Meanwhile, Deng said the Constitution has supreme legal status and effect, and it is a fundamental manifestation of "One Country." No law enacted by the legislature of the HKSAR may contravene the principles or the spirit of the Constitution, Deng said, adding that a better understanding of the country and its history can be gained through the Constitution.

He also suggested Hong Kong youth take the initiative to read the Constitution and pay more frequent visits to the mainland, adding that he believes they will benefit a lot from "reading a book and traveling 10,000 miles."

Rita Fan, chairman of the Management Committee of the Endeavor Education Center, moderated the panel discussion on the vital role of the Constitution on the new journey of the new era with Maria Tam, vice-chairperson of the HKSAR Basic Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and Simon Lee, member of the Legislative Council. 

(With input from Xinhua)