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In response to media enquiries on the activities organised by community groups today (August 17), a Government spokesman gave the following:
"The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government fully respects the public's right to take part in processions and their freedom of expression as enshrined in law.
"The HKSAR Government welcomes and supports all activities which take forward the implementation of universal suffrage for the Chief Executive election in 2017 in accordance with the law and opposes all unlawful acts which affect social order and the betterment of our people.
"The Chief Executive submitted on July 15 to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC) his report on whether there was a need to amend the methods for selecting the Chief Executive of the HKSAR in 2017 and for forming the Legislative Council of the HKSAR in 2016. After the NPCSC has made its decision at the end of August, the HKSAR Government will in the next stage launch another round of public consultation.
"The HKSAR Government sincerely hopes that universal suffrage for the Chief Executive election will be implemented in 2017, so that over five million eligible voters will be able to elect the next CE by 'one person, one vote'."
Ends/Sunday, August 17, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:58
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