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In response to a statement issued by pan-democratic Legislative Council (LegCo) members on universal suffrage today (July 3), the Chief Executive's Office issued the statement below:
It is the common aspiration of the Central People's Government, the Chief Executive, the HKSAR Government, and the public at large to implement universal suffrage for the Chief Executive election in 2017, strictly in accordance with the Basic Law and the relevant Interpretation and Decisions of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC).
Only proposals that are formulated on the aforesaid basis could be considered as "genuine universal suffrage" proposals. Any proposals which deviate from the provisions of the Basic Law and the relevant Interpretation and Decisions of the NPCSC will not have the legal basis.
Besides, according to Article 45 of the Basic Law, "the method for selecting the Chief Executive shall be specified in the light of the actual situation in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and in accordance with the principle of gradual and orderly progress. The ultimate aim is the selection of the Chief Executive by universal suffrage upon nomination by a broadly representative nominating committee in accordance with democratic procedures." Hence, the power to nominate is vested in the nominating committee exclusively.
The Chief Executive expressed regret over the walk-out by the pan-democratic LegCo members today. Regarding the throwing of glass object in the LegCo Chamber, the Chief Executive's Office has already reported the case to the Police.
Ends/Thursday, July 3, 2014
Issued at HKT 20:08
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