Following is a statement by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, on Constitutional Development today (December 12):    

My dear fellow citizens,

     Earlier today, the Hong Kong SAR Government submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress a report on the outcome of the public consultation on the Green Paper on Constitutional Development. In the report, I have stated that the community generally expects the electoral system of the HKSAR to be further democratised. The community also seeks to attain universal suffrage as early as possible in accordance with the Basic Law.  I have urged the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress to allow us to amend the methods for selecting the Chief Executive and for forming the Legislative Council in 2012.

     The HKSAR Government has consolidated the views gathered during the public consultation on constitutional development, and reflected on the setback of the political reform package in 2005. This has made me realise that attaining universal suffrage for Hong Kong will not be plain sailing. We must all remain resolute, while keeping an open mind to seek common ground and accommodate differences. Only by doing so can we, step by step, forge a consensus on universal suffrage.

     In the report submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, I have summarised the public views into four points.

     First, there is general expectation within the community that the electoral system of the HKSAR can be further democratised and that the ultimate aim of universal suffrage can be attained as early as possible in accordance with the Basic Law. The community generally hopes that the universal suffrage timetable can be determined early, so we can set the course for Hong Kong's constitutional development.

     Second, opinion polls have shown that implementing universal suffrage for the Chief Executive election first in 2012 is the expectation of more than half of the public. This expectation should be taken seriously, and given consideration. At the same time, implementing universal suffrage for the Chief Executive election first, by no later than 2017, would stand a better chance of being accepted by the majority in our community.

     Third, although there are still diverse views within the community on the models for implementing universal suffrage for the Chief Executive election, a consensus has begun to emerge on implementing universal suffrage for the Chief Executive first, to be followed by universal suffrage for the Legislative Council election.

     Finally, views are still very diverse on the models for forming the Legislative Council by universal suffrage and how to deal with the functional constituencies. However, setting a timetable for implementing universal suffrage can help to ultimately resolve the issues involved.

     Fellow citizens, I fully appreciate that changes to our political system will affect each and every one of us. So, my report not only faithfully reflects the community's views on universal suffrage; it also states the fact that the community's views have become more mature and that we have greater confidence in forging consensus, even though after extensive discussions there are still different proposals on the specific models for attaining universal suffrage.

     I believe that we are writing a critical chapter in Hong Kong's constitutional history. This will be a major challenge to our wisdom and resolve. I sincerely hope that all of us can work together in a calm, rational, pragmatic and responsible manner to forge a consensus for attaining universal suffrage as early as possible.

     While I do not underestimate the difficulty of this task, I have every confidence in the people of Hong Kong. Together, we will find the solutions, and we will accomplish our mission.

Ends/Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:34

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