The executive, legislative and judiciary branches of Macao had a common understanding of the spirit of the Basic Law and could easily reach consensus on major issues, the Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, said today when he met more than 30 Hong Kong and overseas journalists at Santa Sancha. When asked about the comment made by the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Zhang Xiaoming, over the co-ordination between the executive, legislature and judiciary branches of Macao, Mr Ho said that the three performed their duties in line with the Basic Law. He said that the heads of the three branches had a deep understanding of the Basic Law, as he himself, Ms Susana Chou, the former President of the Legislative Assembly, and Mr Lau Cheok Va, the incumbent president, had all been members of the Drafting Committee for the Basic Law, while the President of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Sam Hou Fai, had also taken part in the drafting of the Basic Law. Speaking about Macao’s efforts in building a corruption-free society, Mr Ho said that integrity among civil servants and the entire community had been greatly enhanced. Over the past decade, Macao had attracted more and more investment from listed companies worldwide which demonstrated Macao’s achievements in building a corruption-free society. Mr Ho achknowledged that corruption cases involving officials would harm the image and standing of the Government due to the facts and rumours that emerged. However, the administration should not comment on the rumours involving the cases in order to protect judicial independence. As for constitutional development, Mr Ho said its progress will be achieved in an orderly manner under the provisions of the Basic Law.
