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Following is the translation of the opening remarks by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, at a media session on constitutional development at Central Government Offices this afternoon (June 7):
In accordance with the Legislative Council Rules of Procedure, the Government has given notice of the intention to move the two motions concerning the amendments to the methods for selecting the Chief Executive and for forming the LegCo in 2012 on June 23.
In the past few years, there have been extensive discussions within the community on how to further democratise the existing electoral system. Since the Government issued the public consultation document on the two electoral methods for 2012 in November last year, and published the proposed package in April this year, we have been actively communicating with different sectors of the community. We have had frank and in-depth discussions with LegCo members, including the pan-democrats, on the details of the proposed package with a view to forging consensus. We have also engaged the public to introduce to them the proposed package.
The package was put forth after careful deliberations. It was formulated after extensive consultation and discussions among members of the public, different sectors of the community and the LegCo. The LegCo subcommittee has completed its deliberations on the two motions and the relevant issues. Now is the appropriate time to give notice for the LegCo to vote on the proposed package before the end of June.
In 2007, we got the timetable for universal suffrage. Taking one step forward in 2012 will help us implement universal suffrage for the Chief Executive in 2017, further democratise the LegCo election in 2016 and implement universal suffrage for the LegCo in 2020. This will open an entirely new vista for Hong Kong.
According to various opinion polls, about 50 to 60% of the public hope that the 2012 proposed package can be passed by LegCo. All 18 District Councils have given their support for the package. The people of Hong Kong have clearly expressed their aspiration for constitutional development to be rolled forward. We have reached a critical moment for Hong Kong's democratic development. Whether we will move one step forward or stand still depends on whether LegCo members are willing to seek common ground, accommodate differences and support passage of the 2012 proposed package, so as to enable Hong Kong to steadily move down the path to universal suffrage.
The proposed package put forth by the Government is one which can roll forward democracy. Of the 10 new LegCo seats, five will be returned through one-person-one-vote, and the other five will be returned through election from among elected District Council members, who are elected by more than 3.3 million voters. No seats will be created under the "traditional" functional constituencies, which have a relatively smaller electorate base. The size of the CE Election Committee will be increased from 800 to 1,200, and the participation of elected District Council members will be enhanced.
Under the framework of the decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, we have pushed to the limit and strived for maximum latitude to enhance the democratic elements of the two elections in 2012. The proposed package has received wide public support and is formulated on a firm legal basis. Under the current situation, the proposed package stands the best possible chance of being accepted by the majority of the public, the LegCo and the Central Authorities.
The two motions are prepared on the basis of the proposed package put forth on April 14, and involve only amendments to Annexes I and II to the Basic Law.
As to those specific arrangements in the proposed package which do not involve amendments to the Annexes to the Basic Law (including the six District Council seats be returned through election by elected District Council members from among themselves under the "proportional representation system" and the issue of abolishing the District Council appointment system), they will be dealt with at the local legislation level after the proposed package has been passed by LegCo.
With the support of the Government, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government has opened up a communication channel with the moderate political parties and the coalition of the pan-democratic camp to listen to their aspirations directly. This is a major breakthrough. We hope that different sectors of the community will cherish this invaluable opportunity, and that such communication will continue. This will create favourable conditions for the community to discuss and forge consensus on how to implement universal suffrage.
We appreciate the concern of the community about the issue of universal suffrage. The Government has reiterated that the future universal suffrage models must comply with the Basic Law and the principles of equality and universality.
Different sectors of the community will still have time to discuss the models for implementing universal suffrage. By taking a step forward in 2012, we will all see a way out for Hong Kong's democracy. The community will then stand a better chance of forging consensus on the universal suffrage models.
I appeal to LegCo and different sectors of the community to support the 2012 proposed package. We will strive to gain the full support of the public and LegCo.
Thank you.
Ends/Monday, June 7, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:36
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