HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam (right) met today (August 11) with Legislative Council (LegCo) President Andrew Leung. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG - Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Tuesday expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC) for its decision for the sixth Legislative Council (LegCo) of the HKSAR to continue performing its duties.

Lam said she was pleased to note that the NPC decision has been well received by the community, including pro-establishment LegCo members

In a statement released on Tuesday evening, Lam said the NPCSC made an authoritative decision in accordance with the relevant provisions in the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the Basic Law, “fully resolving the issue of the lacuna in the legislature arising from the postponement of the election.” 

“It not only maintains the constitutional and legal order of the HKSAR, but also ensures the normal governance of the HKSAR government and the normal operation of society," Lam said.

"It demonstrates once again the care and support of the central government for the HKSAR," she added.

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Due to the severe COVID-19 outbreak, the HKSAR government on July 31 announced the postponement for one year of the LegCo General Elections, originally scheduled for September 6 this year, to protect public safety and public health as well as ensure the election can be conducted openly and fairly. 

But with the current term of the LegCo ending on September 30, Lam submitted an urgent report to the central government seeking its support and guidance. 

According to the decision made by the NPCSC, the sixth LegCo will continue to discharge its duties for no less than one year until the commencement of the seventh LegCo. The decision also stated clearly that the seventh LegCo will have a term of four years.

Lam met with LegCo President Andrew Leung to relay the NPCSC decision and exchange initial views on the resumption of the LegCo’s operation.

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Stressing that the postponement of the LegCo election was a very difficult decision, Lam told Leung that it was a necessary decision in view of the COVID-19 epidemic.

She said she was pleased to note that the NPCSC decision has been well received by the community, including pro-establishment LegCo members.

 "The current epidemic situation in Hong Kong remains severe and various sectors have been hard hit. Even after the epidemic has eased, there will still be plenty of work in relation to economic recovery and relieving people's burdens, which would require the sincere co-operation of the executive and the legislature,” Lam said.

“I hope that under the continued leadership of Mr Leung, LegCo members can set aside their differences and disputes, and rebuild mutual trust for the well-being of the Hong Kong people," she added.

READ MORE: Various sectors in HK back LegCo election postponement

In a statement, Leung said he welcomed the NPCSC decision.

"In the present unprecedented pandemic situation, the Standing Committee has made this principled decision to enable the continued smooth operation of the Legislature, and ensure the effective administration of the SAR government," Leung said.

"In the midst of the current pandemic, Hong Kong is facing severe economic hardship. I hope that when the council resumes work in October, Members across the political spectrum could put aside political differences and work together to discharge their constitutional duties, with the common goal to resolve economic and livelihood issues in the best interest of the community," he added.

Lam said the HKSAR government was hammering out at details of the anti-epidemic work supported by the central government. She said the HKSAR government would be pleased to explain it to LegCo members later in detail. 

She added that she will also meet the current LegCo members in batches to listen to their views.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of China's State Council on Tuesday said it resolutely supported the NPCSC decision.

The decision provides solid legal basis for the sixth LegCo to continue performing duties, said the office in a statement, adding that it will cooperate with relevant authorities in implementing the decision. 

The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Tuesday also voiced firm support for the NPCSC decision.

The decision was made in accordance with the Constitution and the HKSAR Basic Law, the office said in a statement, stressing the unchallengeable legal authority of the decision.