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Following is the statement by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, on the decision by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress today (December 29):
Fellow citizens,
Earlier today, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress made a Decision regarding my report on constitutional development. The HKSAR Government and I welcome this Decision, which has set a clear timetable for electing the Chief Executive and the Legislative Council by universal suffrage. This is a most important step for Hong Kong's constitutional development.
The Decision of the Standing Committee makes it clear that the election of the HKSAR Chief Executive in 2017 may be by universal suffrage. The Decision also makes it clear that after the Chief Executive has been elected by universal suffrage, the election of all members of the Legislative Council may also be by universal suffrage. In other words, all Legislative Council members may also be elected by universal suffrage in 2020.
The Basic Law prescribes that universal suffrage is the ultimate goal of our constitutional development. In my report on constitutional development, I faithfully reflected the community's aspiration to implement universal suffrage as early as possible. In coming to its decision, the Standing Committee demonstrated clearly that the Central Government had attached great importance to the wishes of Hong Kong people.
The timetable for attaining universal suffrage has been set. Hong Kong is entering a most important chapter in its constitutional history. We should all try to apply fresh thinking to secure implementation of universal suffrage for the Chief Executive first, in 2017, to be followed by that for the Legislative Council in 2020. We must treasure this hard-earned opportunity.
In handling the issue of constitutional development, I once thought that it would be easier to forge a consensus on a roadmap and the models for universal suffrage first, and then set a timetable for implementation. After working on this matter for two years, I have encountered enormous difficulties in reaching the desired consensus, and views within the community remain diverse. Holding fast to the idea of agreeing on a roadmap for universal suffrage before setting a timetable might effectively hold back the pace of constitutional development. Instead, we have to be pragmatic, flexible and accommodating; resolving difficulties and looking after the community's interests must come first. Consequently, I have stated in the report on constitutional development that I now believe setting a timetable as soon as possible first can help forge a consensus on the roadmap leading to universal suffrage.
Universal suffrage has been a contentious issue among different political camps in Hong Kong since 1980s, with diverse views among political parties and within the community. If emotional debate and conflict between political parties drags on over this matter, Hong Kong's stability and development will be severely hampered. I urge everyone, with utmost sincerity, to bring an end to such unnecessary contention, and to move towards reconciliation and consensus. The Standing Committee has taken the most important step for implementing universal suffrage. Now, it is up to the people of Hong Kong to take matters forward.
Implementing universal suffrage for the Chief Executive in 2017, and then for the Legislative Council in 2020, will require momentous follow-up work. First, we need to work out how to amend the electoral methods for selecting the Chief Executive and for forming the Legislative Council in 2012. In this regard, after discussions in the Executive Council this morning, I will ask the Commission on Strategic Development to consider the most appropriate electoral methods for the elections of the Chief Executive and the Legislative Council in 2012. A task group on constitutional development under the Commission on Strategic Development will be set up as soon as possible to study this issue.
I hope the task group can convene its first meeting after the 2008 Lunar New Year to discuss the two electoral methods for 2012 within the framework set out by the Decision of the Standing Committee. After the Commission on Strategic Development has completed discussions around mid-2008, I hope that by the fourth quarter of 2008 the HKSAR Government will have formulated options for the two elections in 2012. We will then consult the public on these options as soon as possible.
Our aim is to settle the two electoral methods for 2012 within the tenure of the third-term HKSAR Government. We hope that this will lay a solid foundation for attaining universal suffrage for the Chief Executive in 2017, and for the Legislative Council in 2020.
I pledged during my electoral campaign to resolve the issue of universal suffrage within my current term as Chief Executive. I will continue to apply myself fully to pursuing this goal. But, I cannot deliver universal suffrage on my own. We should all cherish this opportunity and forge a consensus together in a rational, pragmatic and inclusive manner so that the Chief Executive can be elected by universal suffrage in 2017, and the Legislative Council can be elected by universal suffrage in 2020. Only by so doing, can we fulfill the aspirations of our citizens, accomplish the mission entrusted to us by our nation, and play our responsible part in history.
Ends/Saturday, December 29, 2007
Issued at HKT 11:25
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