CE's opening remarks in debate on constitutional reform package (with photos/video)

CE's opening remarks in debate on constitutional reform package (with photos/video)
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     Following is the translation of the opening remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, in the debate on the constitutional reform package today (June 17):

Fellow Hong Kong Citizens,

     I have only one objective for the televised debate today. That is, to do my very best to secure support for the passage of the 2012 constitutional reform package. Indeed, Hong Kong's democratic development has reached a critical moment.

     Universal suffrage is an ideal which we all share. To achieve it I have already taken two major steps:

     Firstly, I have secured from the Central Government a timetable for universal suffrage - implementing universal suffrage for the Chief Executive election in 2017 and for the Legislative Council election in 2020.

     Secondly, I have put forward the 2012 constitutional reform package to pave the way for implementing universal suffrage. The package is consistent with the Basic Law and the decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. It will also significantly enhance the democratic elements of the two electoral methods for 2012.

     The package will increase the number of people on the Chief Executive Election Committee and increase the number of seats in the Legislative Council, allowing more political aspirants to participate under a more representative electoral system.

     Also, half of the 10 new LegCo seats will be returned by direct election in geographical constituencies and the other half through election among directly-elected District Councillors, and there will not be any increase of the number of seats for the traditional functional constituencies.

     The package is democratic, progressive, pragmatic and consistent with the legal provisions. It also stands the best chance of being approved by the LegCo. We should be mindful of the fact that any package will eventually be put to the same test. It has to obtain the approval of a two-thirds majority, or 40 votes, in the LegCo, otherwise we will come to no avail and get nowhere. Now we are short of a few votes. Just a few votes! With them the package can be passed.

     If the package is voted down, Hong Kong's democratic development will remain stagnant again, just like the 2005 stalemate when the pan-democrat bloc vetoed that package. This will cause a total waste of 10 years. Public opinion is crystal clear - 75 per cent of us don't want to stay put, and the majority of people support the passage of the package by LegCo.

     Let the facts speak for themselves. Hong Kong's democratic development can never be pushed ahead by criticisms, slogans and vetoes. Never.

     The Hon Ms Audrey Eu, if you and your colleagues again use your power to veto the package - and because of that our electoral system will stay put and not progress - then Hong Kong people will be deeply disappointed. All of you will have to shoulder the heavy responsibility for exercising that veto.

     I earnestly call on LegCo members from the pan-democrat camp to act in Hong Kong's best interests, to forego your partisan bloc, and to take a bold and responsible step forward in support of the 2012 constitutional reform package. History will prove that it was the right step.

Ends/Thursday, June 17, 2010
Issued at HKT 20:02

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