(From left) Secretary for Justice Wong Yan-lung, Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang and Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Stephen Lam Sui-lung explain the government's electoral reform proposals at a news conference Wednesday. EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY

NPCSC Deputy Secretary-General urges 5-step advance to universal suffrage

Deputy Secretary-General of the National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) Qiao Xiaoyang Wednesday called on the Hong Kong community and its legislators to support the amended 2012 political reform plans. He called them a major step toward democracy and of value to the Hong Kong community.

He also described the timetable established by the NPCSC as a gateway to universal suffrage. He cautioned, however, that all five steps must be completed, step by step, before Hong Kong walks through that gateway. To change the electoral methods for electing the Chief Executive (CE) and for forming the Legislative Council (LegCo), the Hong Kong SAR government must have the authorization by the NPCSC, submit the reform package to the LegCo, obtain two-thirds majority passage in the legislature, have consent of the CE and finally receive endorsement by the NPCSC.

Qiao stressed at a press conference in Beijing that the two latest packages are in line with the Basic Law and the previous provisions established by the NPCSC. He said they were also appropriate to the actual situation in Hong Kong, as it makes gradual and orderly progress toward democracy.

"One should acknowledge the fact that the proposed packages put forth by the SAR government represent a major step forward towards the direction of broadening democracy," Qiao noted.

He indicated the government's proposed packages mesh well with the interests and aspirations of different sectors. Qiao said they are capable of being accepted by various parties, while remaining in compliance with the Basic Law and provisions established by the NPCSC. He added that is a difficult achievement in a pluralistic community like Hong Kong.

"The proposed packages have not come by easily. They should be cherished by the Hong Kong community," he said.

Qiao responded at the news conference to a request for clarification of the NPCSC decision that Hong Kong "may" implement universal suffrage in selecting the CE in 2017 and the LegCo in 2020 as opposed to "must" do so. Qiao pointed out that in 2007 the NPCSC made clear the universal suffrage timetable. He said the authority and legal effect of that timetable is beyond any doubt. But the five steps must be gone through prior to implementing universal suffrage in future, he added.

Qiao indicated that the NPCSC adopting "may" instead of "must" with regard to the universal suffrage timetable emphasizes that the proper course is to proceed according to law and statutory procedures.

He went on to say that, under the NPCSC's carefully laid out plan, by 2017 Hong Kong will be at the mid-point of the mandate that it should remain "unchanged for 50 years." By then it will have accumulated experience in developing democracy, and established a wider consensus within the community. The conditions for implementing universal suffrage for the CE and, therefore, for the LegCo will ripen, he said.

Qiao said that he has followed closely the discussion within the Hong Kong community of the two electoral methods proposed for 2012. He noted that it is evident that advancing constitutional development has been a strong desire of Hong Kong community and that he witnessed people from different sectors fully expressing their opinions during consultation and through various opinion polls. "This has left a very deep impression on me," he said.

He emphasized that there are rather complex issues involved in achieving universal suffrage. He encouraged the community to continue discussion, strengthen communication and strive to forge a consensus. He also called on the LegCo and Hong Kong community to support the amended package in a comprehensive, rational and pragmatic spirit.

China Daily

(HK Edition 04/15/2010 page1)