Universal suffrage is no panacea for Hong Kong's problems. And radical changes to the political system will trigger a negative impact on the SAR, a central government official said yesterday.

"To rush through universal suffrage when divergent opinions exist will bring instability to Hong Kong," said Qiao Xiaoyang, deputy secretary-general of the National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC).

Qiao, together with NPC Legislative Affairs Commission Vice-chairman Li Fei and Deputy Director of the Office of Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Xu Ze, came to the SAR yesterday to explain the NPCSC decision on Hong Kong's electoral changes. They met politicians and people from all walks of life in the city at two forums.

Speaking to an audience of 1,000 at the first forum at the International Trade & Exhibition Centre, Qiao stressed universal suffrage is not "a free lunch" and society has to pay for it.

Despite surveys suggesting support for it, "a responsible government should be brave enough to start from the long-term interests of Hong Kong and say no to universal suffrage at the moment. It is for the benefit of Hong Kong," Qiao said.

He pointed out that since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the Basic Law has been questioned, distorted and even slandered.

Before the constitutional status of the Basic Law is consolidated, the negative impact of any radical changes to Hong Kong's political system can be predicted, he said.

Hong Kong's economy, which has just shown signs of recovery, cannot afford any social disturbances. To rush through constitutional reform will harm the SAR's economic development, he said.

He also stressed the importance of balanced participation, especially of the business sector, in maintaining vigorous capitalism in Hong Kong.

"Without the business sector, there would not be capitalism in Hong Kong," he said.

Meanwhile, Xu Ze said that some people have repeatedly made remarks to discredit the mainland. This has slowed down the pace of political reform. He urged people to take into account the collective interests of Hong Kong and the country and cease confrontational acts.

At the forum, Peter Woo, chairman of Hong Kong Trade and Development Council, said the NPCSC decision would help allay worries and lay a foundation for the city's constitutional development.

Ronnie Chan, chairman of Hang Lung Development, echoed the view that the NPCSC decision was fair, legal and reasonable.

(HK Edition 04/27/2004 page1)