Hong Kong Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung Kin-chung elaborates on initiatives in the 2017 Policy Address under his ambit at a press conference on Jan 19, 2018. (GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES)

HONG KONG - A senior official of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said Sunday that the decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) on the continuing discharge of duties by the sixth Legislative Council (LegCo) of the HKSAR is constitutional, legitimate and reasonable.

Members of the LegCo should put aside differences and work for the welfare of the public, Cheung said

"This decision provides a constitutional basis and a solid legal foundation for the normal administration of the HKSAR government and the orderly operation of Hong Kong society. Its authority and necessity are beyond doubt," Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR government Matthew Cheung said in a blog article.

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The decision is conducive to social stability in Hong Kong and allows the whole society to concentrate on fighting the epidemic, restoring the economy and improving people's livelihood, he said.

As Hong Kong is facing unprecedented difficulties and challenges, the LegCo, as a place to seek the greatest consensus through rational communication, bears great responsibility, said Cheung.

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Members of the LegCo should put aside differences and work for the welfare of the public, he said.