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In response to media enquiries on the progress of meetings between the Government and the Hong Kong Federation of Students, a Government spokesperson today (October 9) said:
"The Government reiterates that the constitutional development of Hong Kong has to be taken forward in accordance with the Basic Law and the relevant Interpretation and Decisions of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC).
On August 31, the NPCSC adopted the Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Issues Relating to the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region by Universal Suffrage and on the Method for Forming the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the Year 2016 (Decision), and formally determined that universal suffrage for the Chief Executive (CE) election through 'one person, one vote' could be implemented starting from 2017. The Government sincerely hopes that different sectors of the community will accept implementation of universal suffrage for the CE election in 2017 in accordance with the law within the framework of the Basic Law and the Decision of the NPCSC.
Constitutional development is a very complicated issue. Hong Kong being a pluralistic society, the Government understands that people from different groups and sectors of the community and different stakeholders may have different views and opinions on the subject. To handle this complicated issue in an effective and orderly manner, different sectors of the community should discuss in a pragmatic, rational and patient manner so as to take forward the constitutional development of Hong Kong.
The Government is sincere and proactive in seeking to establish dialogues and meetings with the Hong Kong Federation of Students, and hopes that through building up mutual trust, and under conducive conditions, the opportunity is seized to facilitate the commencement of the dialogue."
Ends/Thursday, October 9, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:31
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