CE speaks on Consultation Document on the Methods for Selecting the Chief Executive and for Forming the Legislative Council in 2012 (with photo/video)

CE speaks on Consultation Document on the Methods for Selecting the Chief Executive and for Forming the Legislative Council in 2012 (with photo/video)
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     Following is the transcript (English portion) of the media session given today (November 18) by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, at the Central Government Offices New Annexe on Consultation Document on the Methods for Selecting the Chief Executive and for Forming the Legislative Council in 2012:

     The Government has commenced today the public consultation on the methods for electing the Chief Executive and the Legislature in 2012.  The Chief Secretary has just made a statement in LegCo (Legislative Council).

     My administration is determined in advancing Hong Kong’s democratic development in 2012, paving the way for universal suffrage elections of the Chief Executive in 2017 and the entire Legislature in 2020.  We are doing so with the greatest sincerity.  Our job is to broaden the scope of political participation and increase substantially the democratic elements in the 2012 elections in accordance with the Basic Law and the decision of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples’ Congress in December 2007.

    In the consultation document, we have set out a number of key issues and the directions which in the view of the administration  may be considered.

     We propose to enlarge the Election Committee for electing the Chief Executive, and to increase the number of LegCo seats.  This would broaden the scope of political participation.

     We have proposed that all District Council seats in the Election Committee and LegCo be elected from among elected DC members.  This would increase the democratic elements of our political system.

    We also propose to maintain the current nomination threshold for the Chief Executive election, and not to expand the traditional Functional Constituencies in the Legislative Council.  This shows that the Government has heeded the community’s wishes and is keen to foster consensus in the community.

    Constitutional development is an important issue for us all.  The key to success lies in listening and seeking common grounds.  I have never underestimated the difficulty of this exercise.  But I know there is one single aspiration that we all espouse, and that is Hong Kong’s political system should move forward.

     Sadly, we missed that chance in 2005.  We have now come to another critical juncture.

     We must take the Hong Kong people’s aspirations to heart. This is  time for all of us to focus on the overall interests and long-term development of Hong Kong.  This is a time for seeking consensus, not differences.  This is a time to abandon impractical demands.  This is a time for rational and open discussions.  This is a time that we move forward.

    Thank you very much.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:40

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