Shao Tianren, a former drafter of the Basic Law and a legal adviser to the Foreign Ministry, criticised commentators in Hong Kong for taking words out of context by claiming that a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry in 1994 had "openly and clearly" declared that universal suffrage of the entire legislature after 2007 "did not require the approval of the central government".

The 1994 statement was made in response to a question by Britain asking: "Would the Chinese government support universal suffrage of the election of the Legislative Council in 2007 if that was the wish of the Hong Kong SAR In reply, the Foreign Ministry said: "With regard to election of all members of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong SAR by universal suffrage after 2007, Article 68 of the Basic Law and paragraph 3 of its Annex II contain provisions to this effect. It is a question to be decided by the Hong Kong SAR itself and it needs no guarantee by the Chinese government."

Mr Shao said the response clearly stated that whether universal suffrage of the entire legislature be introduced after 2007 depended on Hong Kong's actual situation and adherence to the Basic Law.

"Deciding on the Hong Kong SAR's political system is a move by the Chinese government to exercise its sovereignty, the question on who should grant a guarantee does not exist," Mr Shao said. He said it was "not possible" to make a promise on the introduction of universal suffrage in 1994 because nobody could have predicted the city's actual situation.

"It can be seen that this statement absolutely did not imply that the central government had given up the requirements in the constitution and the Basic Law relating to its responsibility and power regarding Hong Kong's political system."

Mr Shao also lashed out at "some lawmakers" in Hong Kong for advocating Taiwan's independence, joining groups that opposed the Basic Law and aiming to overthrow the central government.