A critical decision to make

WITH THE NATIONAL PEOPLE'S CONGRESS Standing Committee (NPCSC) having made its decision regarding the reform blueprint for the 2017 election of Hong Kong's Chief Executive, clear parameters have finally been established for the introduction of universal suffrage in the special administrative region (SAR).

For universal suffrage to be implemented as scheduled, it is imperative for the next stage of consultation to be conducted with in these boundaries. Under the existing constitutional setup, the NPCSC has the ultimate authority to interpret the Basic Law, which constitutes the sole legal basis for any changes to be made to the city's electoral arrangements.

Unfortunately, political radicals in the city have determined not to settle for anything that falls short of their demand for so-called "international standards" of democracy. Immediately after the NPCSC decision, they vowed to make good on their threat to paralyze Hong Kong's financial heart by summoning thousands of supporters onto the streets in defiance of the law.