Legislative Councillor Andrew Leung looks forward with relish to the inaugural election by universal suffrage of the chief executive in 2017. He cautions, however, that achieving that objective will require the concerted efforts of all political parties. Otherwise, it will be a lose-lose situation for all. Joseph Li writes.

Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen examines the current political climate in Hong Kong, and reckons the road to universal suffrage travels uphill. Given that various political parties have their own ideal solution, Leung finds that it will be difficult to narrow the differences and achieve passage of the electoral package by two-thirds of the Legislative Council. Still, he vows to face constitutional reform from an optimistic point of view and will do his personal best. He calls on the opposition also to do their best and not to miss the boat this time. Otherwise, it will be a long time before the next boat sails into port.

Speaking to China Daily, Leung holds that most people, including the majority of the pan-democratic camp, want to see a bright future for Hong Kong and are not intent on ruining the city. The first step toward narrowing the political rift and move toward consensus, he says, is to affirm the authority of the Nominating Committee and to debate within the legal framework of the Basic Law and the National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) decisions rather than everyone going in different directions.

Andrew Leung calls himself an optimistic person who hopes the 2017 electoral package would be carried by 75-80 percent of the members of the Legislative Council, more than the requisite two-thirds majority.

Andrew Leung warns that Hong Kong might fall into chaos like what Thailand is going through if universal suffrage cannot materialize in the 2017 Chief Executive election as radical forces in Hong Kong would become even more radical. Parker Zheng / China Daily

Mutual understanding

"We must foster mutual understanding and be ready to give concessions, putting the interests of Hong Kong above partisan interests," Leung said.

"Just as Li Fei, the deputy secretary-general of the NPCSC and Basic Law Committee chairman, said, we shall play the game inside but not outside the field. People should not ignore the authority of the Nominating Committee and come up with proposals that have no limits - for example, the proposal that all registered voters become members of the Nominating Committee.

"The central government is sincere in its dedication to implement universal suffrage in Hong Kong. The pan-democrats must be willing to talk, instead of persisting in their own packages or in dragging down the electoral reform. There must be give and take, without one side giving way completely to the other side or guaranteeing some people can join in the race. As we move with the times, the 2017 universal suffrage model is definitely not the ultimate model but it is one that can be improved in future."

Leung, who is also chairman of the Legislative Council House Committee, agrees with Legislative Council President Jasper Tsang Yok-sing that if universal suffrage failed to evolve in 2017, it would be very hard for the government to govern.

"Governance will be more difficult than now, as there will be greater opposition while the radical forces will become more radical," he predicted.

"Take a look at Thailand, where the opposition camp often challenges the elected government. There are endless political disputes in Thailand, thus affecting economic development and the people's livelihoods. Is this what Hong Kong people would like to see?"

Leung points out that if universal suffrage for the election of Chief Executive fell through in 2017, universal suffrage to choose the legislature would not happen in 2020 and thus the goal of achieving universal suffrage, shared by nearly everyone, would become a more distant dream.

"It will be a lose-lose situation for the Hong Kong SAR Government, Hong Kong people and the Central Government, and there will be no winners," he commented. "If you miss the boat this time around, it will be a very long time before you can catch the next boat."

As to the formation of the Nominating Committee, he thinks the four sectors may remain and there is room for further discussion regarding the number of members, method and criteria for nomination and the number of candidates.

Leung reiterates implementation of universal suffrage is an uphill battle but it is good that Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, who heads the constitutional reform task force, has arranged to meet lawmakers from various political parties to listen to their views over four dinner meetings.

Opportunity to talk

"It is good to have an opportunity for discussion. I am an optimistic person and I would like to welcome the historic opportunity of universal suffrage in Hong Kong," he said. Leung recalls that it was members of the Democratic Party who cast the crucial votes to carry the electoral packages for 2012, a few years back.

"I know it would not be an easy decision (this time around) but they must face themselves and not let Hong Kong down," he commented.

"I hope the 2017 electoral package will be carried by more than two-thirds of the Legislative Council. I hope it would be adopted by 75 percent or 80 percent of the legislature, in the event half of the pan-democratic camp support the electoral package. If this is passed by a large majority of the Legislative Council, the elected chief executive will have stronger mandate and face less opposition."

Contact the writer at joseph@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 01/10/2014 page8)