The Constitutional Development Task Force of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (SAR) government issued its third report
Tuesday. The report specifies areas that may be considered for
amendment and invites opinions and specific proposals from the
community regarding methods for selecting the chief executive of
the SAR and for forming the Legislative Council (LegCo).
The deadline for submissions is August 31.
The proposals must fall within the parameters specified by the
National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee's
interpretation of annexes to the Basic Law and decision on the
methods for selecting the chief executive in 2007 and for forming
the LegCo in 2008.
At a press conference, Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa said he
fully appreciates "that there is an aspiration in the community for
returning the chief executive and all members of the Legislative
Council by universal suffrage."
He added, "I also understand that some people feel disappointed
about not having universal suffrage in 2007 and 2008. But let me
reiterate two points. First, the NPC Standing Committee's
interpretation of the relevant provisions in the Basic Law and its
decision on constitutional issues have been made entirely for the
sake of Hong Kong's long-term interests, prosperity and
stability."
"Second, the ultimate aim of having universal suffrage in our
democratic development process will not change." he said.
The task force, established by the chief executive to carry out
matters relating to constitutional development, released on March
30 its first report on legislative process issues in the Basic Law.
It issued its second report on April 15, on issues of principle in
the Basic Law.
(Xinhua News Agency May 12, 2004)