Explanation on decision of HK constitutional development
Updated: 2007-12-29 20:25
Qiao said in recent years, the Hong Kong society always paid close attention to the issue on when universal suffrage could be implemented in the election of the Chief Executive and the election of all the members of the Legislative Council and widely hoped a timetable on the implementation of universal suffrage could be nailed down. Relevant consultation made by the HKSAR government also showed that the gap between different opinions on the issue has gradually been narrowed.
According to the regulations of the HKSAR Basic Law, opinions of the members of the NPC Standing Committee as well as suggestions from other circles, the draft decision proposed the time arrangement on the constitutional development of Hong Kong, that is, "the election of the fifth Chief Executive of the HKSAR in the year 2017 may be implemented by the method of universal suffrage; after the Chief Executive is selected by universal suffrage, the election of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR may be implemented by the method of electing all the members by universal suffrage. "
Qiao said that the time arrangement was decided for following considerations:
Firstly, the ultimate goal of implementing universal suffrage in the election of the Chief Executive and the election of all the members of the Legislative Council has been written into the HKSAR Basic Law and is a solemn commitment made by the Central Government. Specifying the time arrangement at an appropriate time accords with the consistent attitude of the Central Government to support the constitutional development of Hong Kong. It is a sincere response to the willingness of Hong Kong society and an important demonstration of Central Government's implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle and the HKSAR Basic Law.
Secondly, the result of public consultation showed that the Hong Kong society widely hoped the timetable on universal suffrage could be formed at an early date.
Thirdly, since the "double universal suffrage" will not be implemented in the election of the Chief Executive and the election of all the members of the Legislative Council in 2012, the year 2017 is the earliest time for the implementation of universal suffrage.
Fourthly, the time arrangement, that is, "the election of the fifth Chief Executive of the HKSAR in the year 2017 may be implemented by the method of universal suffrage;
After the Chief Executive is selected by universal suffrage, the election of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR may be implemented by the method of electing all the members by universal suffrage" is set for two considerations: firstly, the HKSAR Basic Law has stipulated the framework on the universal suffrage implementation method in the election of the Chief Executive, that is, "the selection of the Chief Executive by universal suffrage upon nomination by a broadly representative nominating committee in accordance with democratic procedures."
And the Hong Kong society has reached consensus on the issue. As for the the election of all the members of the Legislative Council by universal suffrage, the Basic Law doesn't make specific regulations on that and the Hong Kong society has varied views on that, therefore the issue needs more time to further discuss;
Secondly, the election of the Chief Executive and the election of all the members of the Legislative Council by universal suffrage are significant constitutional reforms.
Launching them simultaneously will have a much too wider impact on Hong Kong society and will not be conducive to the steady implementation of constitutional reform and maintaining social stability.
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