(左)香港人大常委会基本法委员会委员、国家人大常委会法制委员会主任沈春耀、司法部秘书长梁爱熙星期二出席中国宪法日活动。全国人大常委会法制委员会委员长沈春瑶周二表示,宪法是“一国两制”原则的“最高体现”。所有的中国人,包括香港同胞,都应该维护其最高的法律权威,沈在香港会议展览中心纪念宪法日的一次研讨会上说。香港约有500名跨部门代表出席,其中包括约300名中学生。他说,一个国家是“两种制度”的基础。在“一国两制”下,国家宪法是国家的根本和最高法律,它在包括香港特别行政区在内的所有领土上都是有效的。他说,宪法为实施“一国两制”和《基本法》、香港宪法文件提供了直接依据。沈说,基本法的效力体现在宪法中,基本法是“一国两制”的法制化和制度化。沈说:“宪法和基本法都是香港特别行政区的宪法基础。”只谈论其中一个或将两者分开是不完整和不准确的。这不符合香港回归祖国后的实际情况。”沈说。沈说,为了全面准确地维护香港特别行政区的宪法基础,落实“一国两制”原则,有必要了解《宪法》及其与《基本法》的关系。沈强调,任何破坏国家安全和国家主权的行为,或挑战中央政府和《基本法》权威的行为,都会触及底线,是不可容忍的。沈说,他希望宪法日为香港继续推进宪法和基本法的努力奠定基础,进一步加强香港人民尤其是公职人员的意识。香港特别行政区行政长官卡丽表示,《宪法》和《基本法》为香港的基本国策提供了法律依据,为香港的繁荣稳定奠定了基石。特区政府绝对有责任引导香港市民全面了解《宪法》和《基本法》。中央人民政府联络处主任王志旼说,香港应坚决维护宪法和基本法的宪法秩序,积极学习这两部法律。这将有助于香港和国家在未来的发展。香港九吕秀中学第三岁学生吴伟南(音译)说,他发现这次研讨会很有用。他说,他了解到宪法和基本法是密切相关的,没有任何矛盾。
(From left) Johnny Mok Shiu-luen, member of the HKSAR Basic Law Committee under the NPC Standing Committee, Shen Chunyao, chairman of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPCSC, and former HKSAR secretary for justice Elsie Leung Oi-sie attend a Constitution Day activity in Hong Kong on Tuesday. ROY LIU/CHINA DAILY

The nation's Constitution is the "supreme embodiment" of the "one country, two systems" principle, Shen Chunyao, chairman of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, said on Tuesday.

All Chinese, including Hong Kong compatriots, should thus safeguard its highest legal authority, Shen said at a symposium marking Constitution Day at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Some 500 cross-sector representatives in Hong Kong, including about 300 secondary school students, attended.

"One country" is the basis of "two systems", he said. Under "one country", the national Constitution is the country's fundamental and supreme law, and it is valid in all territories in the country, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, he said.

He said the Constitution provides a direct basis for the implementation of "one country, two systems" and the Basic Law, Hong Kong's constitutional document. The Basic Law's validity is enshrined in the Constitution, Shen said, and the Basic Law is the legalization and institutionalization of "one country, two systems".

Both the Constitution and the Basic Law constitute the constitutional basis of the HKSAR, Shen said.

"It's incomplete and inaccurate to speak about only one of them or to separate the two. It's not in line with the actual situation after Hong Kong's return to the motherland," Shen said.

It's necessary to comprehend the Constitution, and its relationship with the Basic Law, in order to safeguard the HKSAR's constitutional basis and implement the "one country, two systems" principle in a comprehensive and accurate manner, Shen said.

Shen stressed that any acts that undermine national security and national sovereignty, or challenge the authority of the central government and the Basic Law, would touch the bottom line and will not be tolerated.

Shen said he hoped Constitution Day could lay a foundation for Hong Kong to continue its effort in promoting the Constitution and the Basic Law, further strengthening the awareness of people in Hong Kong, especially public officers.

HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said the Constitution and the Basic Law provide a legal basis for the country's basic policies on Hong Kong affairs, laying the cornerstones for Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.

The HKSAR government has absolute responsibility to guide Hong Kong citizens to a comprehensive understanding of the Constitution and the Basic Law, she said.

Wang Zhimin, director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, said Hong Kong should firmly safeguard the constitutional order based on the Constitution and the Basic Law, and proactively learn about the two laws. That will help both Hong Kong and the nation in future development.

Ng Wai-nam, 14, a third-year student at Chiu Lut Sau Memorial Secondary School in Hong Kong, said he found the symposium useful. He said he learned that the Constitution and the Basic Law are closely related, without any contradictions.