關於《全國人民代表大會常務委員會關於〈中華人民共和國香港特別行政區基本法〉第104條的解釋》
關於《全國人民代表大會常務委員會關於〈中華人民共和國香港特別行政區基本法〉第一百零四條的解釋（草案）》的說明
Explanations on the Draft Interpretation by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of Article 104 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
——2016年11月5日在第十二屆全國人民代表大會常務委員會第二十四次會議上
On 5 November 2016 at the Twenty-Fourth Session of the Standing Committee of the Twelfth National People’s Congress
全國人大常委會法制工作委員會副主任 張榮順
Zhang Rongshun, Vice-Chairman, Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress
委員長、各位副委員長、祕書長、各位委員：
Chairman, Vice-Chairmen, Secretary-General, Members:
我受委員長會議的委託，現對《全國人民代表大會常務委員會關於〈中華人民共和國香港特別行政區基本法〉第一百零四條的解釋（草案）》作說明。
On the instruction of the Council of Chairmen, I now provide explanations on the Draft Interpretation by the Standing Committee of the National People’ s Congress of Article 104 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’ s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as “the Draft Interpretation”).
近年來，香港社會有些人公開宣揚“香港獨立”、“香港民族自決”等“港獨”或具有“港獨”性質的主張，引起包括廣大香港居民在內的全國人民的高度關注、憂慮和憤慨。“港獨”的本質是分裂國家，“港獨”言行嚴重違反“一國兩制”方針政策，嚴重違反國家憲法、香港基本法和香港特別行政區有關法律的規定，嚴重損害國家的統一、領土完整和國家安全，並且對香港的長期繁榮穩定造成了嚴重影響。
In recent years, some people of the Hong Kong society openly advocate the notion of “Hong Kong Independence” or notions of the same nature, such as “the independence of Hong Kong”, “Hong Kong national self-determination,” etc. which have caused grave concern, anxiety and anger among people of the whole country, including the vast majority of Hong Kong residents. The inherent nature of “Hong Kong Independence” is secession. Words and conduct advocating “Hong Kong Independence” seriously contravene the policy of “one country, two systems”, seriously contravene the Constitution of the country, the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’ s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as “the Hong Kong Basic Law”) and the relevant legal provisions of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (hereinafter referred to as “the HKSAR”), seriously undermine national unity, territorial integrity and national security, and also have a serious impact on the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.
2016年香港特別行政區第六屆立法會選舉過程中，一些宣揚“港獨”的人員報名參選，香港特別行政區選舉主任依法決定其中6名公開宣揚“港獨”主張的人不能獲得有效提名。10月12日，在新當選的立法會議員宣誓儀式上，個別候任議員在宣誓時擅自篡改誓詞或在誓詞中增加其他內容，蓄意宣揚“港獨”主張，並侮辱國家和民族，被監誓人裁定宣誓無效。香港社會以至於立法會內部、立法會與特區政府之間，對上述宣誓的有效性、是否應該重新安排宣誓產生了意見分歧和爭議，並由此影響到立法會的正常運作。
In the course of the election for the sixth Legislative Council, some people advocating “Hong Kong Independence” submitted nominations as candidates. The Returning Officers of the HKSAR decided the nominations of six of those people openly advocating “Hong Kong Independence” as invalid in accordance with law. On 12 October, at the oath taking ceremony of newly elected members of the Legislative Council, certain members-elect, without authority, altered the wording of the oath or added other contents to the oath, intentionally advocated the notion of “Hong Kong Independence”, and insulted the country and the nation. Their oaths were thus determined by the person administering the oath as invalid. There have been differences of opinion and controversies over the validity of the oath mentioned above, and as to whether retaking of the oath should be arranged, within the Hong Kong society and even within the Legislative Council, and between the Legislative Council and the HKSAR Government. The normal operation of the Legislative Council has thereby been affected.
鑑於上述情況，並考慮到有關爭議涉及對香港基本法有關條文的正確理解和執行，爲有效打擊和遏制“港獨”活動，維護國家主權和領土完整，維護香港居民的根本利益和香港特別行政區的繁榮穩定，根據憲法第六十七條第四項關於全國人大常委會行使解釋法律的職權的規定和香港基本法第一百五十八條第一款“本法的解釋權屬於全國人民代表大會常務委員會”的規定，全國人大常委會委員長會議提出了《全國人民代表大會常務委員會關於〈中華人民共和國香港特別行政區基本法〉第一百零四條的解釋（草案）》。依照香港基本法第一百五十八條第四款的規定，該解釋（草案）已徵詢了全國人大常委會香港特別行政區基本法委員會的意見。現對解釋（草案）內容說明如下。
In view of the above circumstances, and in consideration of the fact that the relevant controversies involve the correct understanding and implementation of the relevant provisions of the Hong Kong Basic Law, in order to effectively combat and suppress “Hong Kong Independence” activities; safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity; protect Hong Kong residents’ fundamental interests, and the prosperity and stability of the HKSAR, the Council of Chairmen of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (hereinafter referred to as “NPCSC”) has submitted the Draft Interpretation, under the provisions of Article 67(4) of the Constitution regarding the power of the NPCSC to interpret laws and the provisions of Article 158(1) of the Hong Kong Basic Law which provide that “the power of interpretation of this Law shall be vested in the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress”. In accordance with Article 158(4) of the Hong Kong Basic Law, the Committee for the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress has been consulted on the Draft Interpretation. I will now provide explanations on the Draft Interpretation as follows.
一、擁護中華人民共和國香港特別行政區基本法、效忠中華人民共和國香港特別行政區，是參選或者出任香港特別行政區有關公職的法定要求和條件
To uphold the Hong Kong Basic Law and to bear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China are the legal requirements and preconditions for standing for election in respect of or taking up the relevant public offices in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
1984年6月，鄧小平同志就明確指出，“港人治港有個界線和標準，就是必須由以愛國者爲主體的港人來治理香港。”對於什麼是愛國者，鄧小平同志指出，“愛國者的標準是，尊重自己民族，誠心誠意擁護祖國恢復行使對香港的主權，不損害香港的繁榮和穩定。”香港基本法關於香港特別行政區行政長官以及行政機關、立法機關和司法機關組成人員的規定，貫穿着由以愛國者爲主體的港人治理香港的原則，其中一項重要的要求是：行政長官、主要官員、行政會議成員、立法會議員、各級法院法官和其他司法人員都必須擁護中華人民共和國香港特別行政區基本法，效忠中華人民共和國香港特別行政區。在香港基本法具體條文起草過程中，這一要求與香港通行的就職宣誓制度結合起來，形成了香港基本法第一百零四條規定，即“香港特別行政區行政長官、主要官員、行政會議成員、立法會議員、各級法院法官和其他司法人員在就職時必須依法宣誓擁護中華人民共和國香港特別行政區基本法，效忠中華人民共和國香港特別行政區”。因此，香港基本法第一百零四條規定的“擁護中華人民共和國香港特別行政區基本法，效忠中華人民共和國香港特別行政區”，既是依法宣誓必須包含的法定內容，也是參選或者出任該條所列公職的法定要求和條件。
In June 1984, Comrade Deng Xiaoping clearly pointed out, “There must be a limit and standard for Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong, that is, the main body of Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong must be patriots”. As to who is a patriot, Comrade Deng Xiaoping pointed out that, “The standard required of a patriot is to respect his or her own nation, and to sincerely and faithfully support the motherland’s resumption of exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, and not to impair Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability.” The principle that the main body of Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong are to be patriots runs through the requirements regarding the Chief Executive, and the composition of executive authorities, the legislature, and the judiciary stipulated in the Hong Kong Basic Law. One of those important requirements is: The Chief Executive, principal officials, members of the Executive Council, members of the Legislative Council, judges of the courts at all levels, and other members of the judiciary must uphold the Hong Kong Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and bear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. In the course of the drafting of the specific provisions of the Hong Kong Basic Law, this requirement was combined with the prevailing regime on oath taking upon assumption of office in Hong Kong to form the provisions of Article 104 of the Hong Kong Basic Law, namely, “When assuming office, the Chief Executive, principal officials, members of the Executive Council and of the Legislative Council, judges of the courts at all levels and other members of the judiciary in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region must, in accordance with law, swear to uphold the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and swear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.” Therefore, “to uphold the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China” and to bear “allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China” as stipulated by Article 104 of the Hong Kong Basic Law, are the legal content which must be included in the oath prescribed by the Article, as well as the legal requirements and preconditions for standing for election in respect of or taking up the public office specified in the Article.
香港基本法頒佈後，對於香港基本法第一百零四條的規定，中央和香港特別行政區一直是這樣理解和執行的。1996年成立的全國人民代表大會香港特別行政區籌備委員會，在其制定的香港特別行政區第一任行政長官人選的產生辦法、臨時立法會的產生辦法和第一屆立法會的具體產生辦法中，都規定行政長官參選人、立法會議員候選人必須擁護中華人民共和國香港特別行政區基本法，願意效忠中華人民共和國香港特別行政區。全國人民代表大會香港特別行政區籌備委員會是全國人民代表大會決定設立的負責籌備成立香港特別行政區的權力機構，其所作出的決定和規定具有法律效力。按照香港基本法和籌委會上述決定，香港特別行政區制定的《行政長官選舉條例》第十六條和《立法會條例》第四十條作出了相應的規定，並在歷任行政長官和歷屆立法會選舉中得到遵循。鑑於在香港特別行政區第六屆立法會選舉中，出現了公開宣揚“港獨”的人蔘選並當選的情況，有必要明確參選或者出任香港基本法第一百零四條規定公職的人必須擁護中華人民共和國香港特別行政區基本法，效忠中華人民共和國香港特別行政區。爲此，本解釋（草案）第一條規定：“《中華人民共和國香港特別行政區基本法》第一百零四條規定的‘擁護中華人民共和國香港特別行政區基本法，效忠中華人民共和國香港特別行政區’，既是該條規定的宣誓必須包含的法定內容，也是參選或者出任該條所列公職的法定要求和條件。”
Since the promulgation of the Hong Kong Basic Law, the Central Authorities and the HKSAR have all along understood and implemented the requirements under Article 104 of the Hong Kong Basic Law in the aforementioned way. When the Preparatory Committee for the HKSAR established under the National People’s Congress in 1996 (hereinafter referred to as “the Preparatory Committee”) prescribed the method for the selection of the first Chief Executive of the HKSAR, the method for the formation of the Provisional Legislative Council, and the specific method for the formation of the first Legislative Council, it provided that the candidates standing for the Chief Executive election and the Legislative Council election must uphold the Hong Kong Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, and pledge allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. The Preparatory Committee was an authority established upon a decision of the National People’s Congress to be responsible for the preparatory task to establish the HKSAR, and its decisions and requirements have legal effect. In accordance with the Hong Kong Basic Law and the aforesaid decision of the Preparatory Committee, corresponding requirements were enacted in Section 16 of the Chief Executive Election Ordinance and Section 40 of the Legislative Council Ordinance, and have been followed in past Chief Executive elections and Legislative Council elections. In view of the fact that a situation has arisen in the course of the election for the sixth Legislative Council of the HKSAR whereby individuals openly advocating “Hong Kong Independence” stood for the election and were elected, it is necessary to make it clear that anyone who stands for election in respect of or takes up a public office specified in Article 104 of the Hong Kong Basic Law must uphold the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, and to bear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China. Accordingly, Article 1 of the Draft Interpretation stipulates: “To uphold the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China” and to bear “allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China” as stipulated by Article 104 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, are not only the legal content which must be included in the oath prescribed by the Article, but also the legal requirements and preconditions for standing for election in respect of or taking up the public office specified in the Article.
需要特別說明的是，在香港宣揚和推動“港獨”，屬於香港基本法第二十三條明確規定禁止的分裂國家行爲，從根本上違反香港基本法第一條關於“香港特別行政區是中華人民共和國不可分離的部分”、第十二條關於“香港特別行政區是中華人民共和國的一個享有高度自治權的地方行政區域，直轄於中央人民政府”等規定。宣揚“港獨”的人不僅沒有參選及擔任立法會議員的資格，而且應依法追究其法律責任。
It is necessary to point out in particular that advocating and promoting “Hong Kong Independence” in Hong Kong amounts to an act of secession which is clearly prohibited by Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law, and is essentially a violation of Article 1 of the Hong Kong Basic Law regarding “The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China”, and Article 12 of the Hong Kong Basic Law regarding “The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be a local administrative region of the People’s Republic of China, which shall enjoy a high degree of autonomy and come directly under the Central People’s Government” etc. For those who advocate “Hong Kong Independence”, not only are they not qualified to stand for election in respect of or to take up the office of members of the Legislative Council, but should be subjected to legal liability in accordance with law.
二、關於香港基本法第一百零四條規定的“就職時必須依法宣誓”的含義
On the meaning of “when assuming office... must, in accordance with law, swear [the oath]” as stipulated in Article 104 of the Basic Law of the HKSAR.
香港基本法第一百零四條規定有關公職人員“就職時必須依法宣誓”。按照法律規定及其實踐，這一規定至少具有四個層次的含義：第一，宣誓是該條規定的有關公職人員就職的法定條件和必經程序，未依照法定程序進行合法有效宣誓或者拒絕宣誓，有關公職人員不得就職，從而也不得行使相應的職權和享受相應的待遇。第二，宣誓是一項莊嚴的聲明，必須符合法定的形式和內容要求，即宣誓人的行爲方式必須真誠、莊重，在宣誓內容上必須按照法律規定的誓言準確、完整、莊重地進行宣誓。第三，如果宣誓人拒絕宣誓，即喪失就任基本法第一百零四條所列相應公職的資格。宣誓人故意以行爲、語言、服飾、道具等方式違反、褻瀆宣誓程序和儀式，或者故意改動、歪曲法定誓言或者宣讀與法定誓言不一致的誓言，也應認定該宣誓行爲不符合宣誓的形式或實質要求，從而宣誓無效，宣誓人即喪失就任資格。至於不是出於宣誓人的故意而出現的不符合規範的情況，可允許宣誓人進行再次宣誓。第四，宣誓必須有監誓的安排。監誓人負有確保宣誓合法進行的責任，相應地也具有對宣誓是否有效作出決定的權力。對故意違反宣誓要求者，不得爲其重新安排宣誓。爲此，本解釋（草案）第二條規定：“《中華人民共和國香港特別行政區基本法》第一百零四條規定相關公職人員‘就職時必須依法宣誓’，具有以下含義：（一）宣誓是該條所列公職人員就職的法定條件和必經程序。未進行合法有效宣誓或者拒絕宣誓，不得就任相應公職，不得行使相應職權和享受相應待遇。（二）宣誓必須符合法定的形式和內容要求。宣誓人必須真誠、莊重地進行宣誓，必須準確、完整、莊重地宣讀包括‘擁護中華人民共和國香港特別行政區基本法，效忠中華人民共和國香港特別行政區’內容的法定誓言。（三）宣誓人拒絕宣誓，即喪失就任該條所列相應公職的資格。宣誓人故意宣讀與法定誓言不一致的誓言或者以任何不真誠、不莊重的方式宣誓，也屬於拒絕宣誓，所作宣誓無效，宣誓人即喪失就任該條所列相應公職的資格。（四）宣誓必須在法律規定的監誓人面前進行。監誓人負有確保宣誓合法進行的責任，對符合本解釋和香港特別行政區法律規定的宣誓，應確定爲有效宣誓；對不符合本解釋和香港特別行政區法律規定的宣誓，應確定爲無效宣誓，並不得重新安排宣誓。”
Article 104 of the Hong Kong Basic Law stipulates that “when assuming office” the relevant public officers “must, in accordance with law, swear [the oath]”. According to the law and its practice, this provision has at least four levels of meaning: Firstly, oath taking is the legal prerequisite and required procedure for public officers specified in the Article to assume the relevant public office. No public office shall be assumed, and hence no corresponding powers and functions shall be exercised, and no corresponding entitlements shall be enjoyed by anyone who fails to lawfully and validly take an oath or who declines to take the oath. Secondly, the oath is a solemn declaration, which must comply with the legal requirements in respect of its form and content, namely that the conduct and manner of the oath taker must be sincere and solemn, and the oath and its content must accord with the wording of the oath prescribed by law and must be taken accurately, completely and solemnly. Thirdly, an oath taker is disqualified forthwith from assuming the respective public office specified in Article 104 of the Basic Law if he or she declines to take the oath. If an oath taker intentionally contravenes or desecrates the oath taking procedure and ceremony by means of conduct, words, attire or paraphernalia, etc., or intentionally alters, distorts the wording of the oath prescribed by law or reads out words which do not accord with the wording of the oath prescribed by law, such oath taking conduct shall also be regarded as not in compliance with the requirements in respect of oath taking in form or in substance. The oath so taken is invalid and the oath taker is disqualified forthwith from assuming office. As regards the situation where the non-compliance is not caused intentionally on the part of the oath taker, the oath taker may be permitted to retake the oath. Fourthly, there must be arrangement for the administration of oath. The person administering the oath has the duty to ensure the oath is taken in a lawful manner, and correspondingly, he or she also has the power to determine the validity of the oath. No arrangement shall be made for retaking the oath by a person who intentionally contravenes the requirements in respect of oath taking. Therefore, Article 2 of the Draft Interpretation stipulates: “The provisions in Article 104 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China that ‘when assuming office’ the relevant public officers ‘must, in accordance with law, swear [the oath]’ bear the following meaning.
(1) Oath taking is the legal prerequisite and required procedure for public officers specified in the Article to assume office. No public office shall be assumed, no corresponding powers and functions shall be exercised, and no corresponding entitlements shall be enjoyed by anyone who fails to lawfully and validly take the oath or who declines to take the oath.
(2) Oath taking must comply with the legal requirements in respect of its form and content. An oath taker must make the oath sincerely and solemnly, and must accurately, completely, and solemnly read out the oath prescribed by law, the content of which includes “will uphold the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, bear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China”.
(3) An oath taker is disqualified forthwith from assuming the public office specified in the Article if he or she declines to take the oath. An oath taker who intentionally reads out words which do not accord with the wording of the oath prescribed by law, or takes the oath in a manner which is not sincere or not solemn, shall be treated as declining to take the oath. The oath so taken is invalid and the oath taker is disqualified forthwith from assuming the public office specified in the Article.
(4) The oath must be taken before the person authorized by law to administer the oath. The person administering the oath has the duty to ensure that the oath is taken in a lawful manner. He or she shall determine that an oath taken in compliance with this Interpretation and the requirements under the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is valid, and that an oath which is not taken in compliance with this Interpretation and the requirements under the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is invalid. If the oath taken is determined as invalid, no arrangement shall be made for retaking the oath.
需要特別說明的是，上述解釋內容是依法宣誓的必然含義，也是香港歷來有關宣誓的基本要求。香港迴歸後，行政長官、主要官員、行政會議成員、絕大部分立法會議員、各級法院法官和其他司法人員都能夠按照基本法的要求依法進行就職宣誓，但個別立法會議員背離宣誓的基本要求，而且愈演愈烈。特別是香港特別行政區第六屆立法會議員宣誓時，個別候任議員在宣誓過程中破壞莊嚴的宣誓儀式，呼喊與宣誓無關的口號，不按法定誓言宣誓，甚至侮辱國家和民族。這些人的行爲無論在形式上還是在內容上，都違反依法宣誓的要求，嚴重挑戰“一國兩制”的原則底線和香港基本法的規定。因此，進一步明確香港基本法第一百零四條關於“就職時必須依法宣誓”的規定，是維護香港基本法和法律尊嚴的要求，也是恢復立法會議員宣誓秩序的需要。
It is necessary to point out in particular that the content of the above interpretation is inevitably the meaning of taking the oath in accordance with law, and has always been the basic requirements in respect of oath taking in Hong Kong. Since Hong Kong reunification, the Chief Executive, principal officials, members of the Executive Council, the vast majority of members of the Legislative Council, judges of the courts at all levels and other members of the judiciary have taken the oath in accordance with law when assuming office as required by the Hong Kong Basic Law. However, certain members of the Legislative Council have deviated from the basic requirements in respect of oath taking, with increasing intensity. In particular, when members of the sixth Legislative Council took the oath, certain members-elect, in the course of taking the oath, spoiled the solemn oath taking ceremony, chanted slogans which were unrelated to the oath, failed to take the oath in the form and wording prescribed by law, and even insulted the country and the nation. The conduct of these individuals is in form and in substance contrary to the requirement to take the oath in accordance with law, and is a serious challenge against the bottom line of the principle of “one country, two systems” and the provisions of the Hong Kong Basic Law. Therefore, further making clear the provisions in respect of “when assuming office... must, in accordance with law, swear [the oath]” in Article 104 of the Hong Kong Basic Law is required in order to uphold the Hong Kong Basic Law and the integrity of the law, and is also necessary to restore the order of oath taking by members of the Legislative Council.
三、關於香港基本法第一百零四條規定的依法宣誓的法律約束力及其法律責任
The legal effect and responsibility of oath taking in accordance with law prescribed by Article 104 of the Hong Kong Basic Law
宣誓是宣誓人以公開聲明的方式對國家和社會作出的莊嚴承諾，具有法律約束力，違反誓言必須承擔相應的法律責任。就香港基本法第一百零四條規定而言，依法宣誓擁護中華人民共和國香港特別行政區基本法，效忠中華人民共和國香港特別行政區，是該條所列公職人員對中華人民共和國及其香港特別行政區的一項法律承諾。宣誓是具有法律效力的法定行爲，宣誓人必須真正贊同、真誠信奉誓言要求，並決心遵守誓言，同時也公開表明如果違反誓言，願意承擔相應的法律責任。這是香港基本法第一百零四條的題中應有之義。據此，本解釋（草案）第三條規定：“《中華人民共和國香港特別行政區基本法》第一百零四條所規定的宣誓，是該條所列公職人員對中華人民共和國及其香港特別行政區作出的法律承諾，具有法律約束力。宣誓人必須真誠信奉並嚴格遵守法定誓言。宣誓人作虛假宣誓或者在宣誓之後從事違反誓言行爲的，依法承擔法律責任。”
The taking of the oath is a solemn pledge made by an oath taker to his or her country and society in the form of an open declaration. It is legally binding, and a person who breaches the oath must bear corresponding legal responsibility. In relation to the requirement of Article 104 of the Hong Kong Basic Law, taking an oath in accordance with law to uphold the Hong Kong Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, and to bear allegiance to the HKSAR of the People’s Republic of China, is a legal pledge made by public officers specified in that Article to the People’ s Republic of China, and its HKSAR. The taking of the oath is an act required by law which has legal effect. An oath taker must truly agree with, and sincerely believe in the requirements of the oath, he or she must also be determined to abide by the oath; and at the same time openly declare that if there is a breach of oath, he or she is willing to bear the corresponding legal responsibility. This is inherent in Article 104 of the Hong Kong Basic Law. On this basis, Article 3 of the Draft Interpretation stipulates, “The taking of the oath stipulated by Article 104 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China is a legal pledge made by the public officers specified in the Article to the People’s Republic of China and its Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and is legally binding. The oath taker must sincerely believe in and strictly abide by the relevant oath prescribed by law. An oath taker who makes a false oath, or, who, after taking the oath, engages in conduct in breach of the oath, shall bear legal responsibility in accordance with law.”
《全國人民代表大會常務委員會關於〈中華人民共和國香港特別行政區基本法〉第一百零四條的解釋（草案）》和以上說明是否妥當，請審議。
You are invited to examine whether the Draft Interpretation and its Explanations are in order.
