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CE's remarks on Green Paper on Constitutional Development (with video)
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    Following is the English version of the remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, to the press on the publication of the Green Paper on Constitutional Development today (July 11):

     Today, we have published the Green Paper on Constitutional Development.  This represents a significant milestone in Hong Kong's constitutional development. As I had undertaken during my election campaign, we will launch a public consultation exercise on the implementation of universal suffrage after the inauguration of the Third Term HKSAR Government.  The Green Paper published today presents three types of options on the models, roadmap and timetable for implementing universal suffrage for the Chief Executive (CE) and the Legislative Council (Legco) respectively. Members of the public can discuss and indicate their preferences on the different options.

     The Hong Kong community has been engaging in discussion on, and debated at different stages, the issue of constitutional development. It is now time to identify for Hong Kong a set of solutions to allow constitutional development to progress in a clear direction towards further political maturity in a steady manner.

     In the past 20 months, the Commission on Strategic Development has examined the issue of constitutional development in depth. This has provided a solid foundation for the public consultation on the Green Paper. However, I do not underestimate the difficulty in reaching consensus.  This is because, while our ultimate goal of attaining universal suffrage is clear, we will still need further discussion on how and when universal suffrage should be implemented, with a view to reaching consensus as far as possible.

     Consensus can only be reached with the participation of the political parties and councillors in Legco and organisations from different quarters, as well as wide support among members of the public.  I hope that, after discussion within the community, a mainstream option will emerge which can secure two-thirds majority support in Legco, and, with the consent of the CE, can stand a good chance of being accepted by the Central Authorities in accordance with the Basic Law.

     Hong Kong is a place of constant progress.  Every industry seeks innovation and improvement.  As regards our electoral system, Hong Kong also needs to strive for creativity, advancement and competitiveness.  Our common goal is that, when universal suffrage is attained, aspirants, who are committed to serving the community and are capable of enhancing good governance in Hong Kong, will be elected as the CE and Legco Members.

     While the community has been discussing the issue of universal suffrage for years, this public consultation exercise is the first time that wide-ranging discussion on the models, roadmap and timetable for implementing universal suffrage is initiated within HKSAR.  I hope that every sector of the community, including political parties, think tanks, academics and members of the public, will seize this opportunity to express their views in a rational, accommodating and open manner.  It will be a remarkable achievement of Hong Kong if a mainstream option which is practicable, in compliance with the Basic Law, and consistent with public aspirations, can eventually become a reality.



Ends/Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:24

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