Open attitude on constitutional reform: CS

November 24, 2013

Chief Secretary Carrie Lam says the Government will adopt an open attitude in listening to people’s views during the constitutional reform consultation, in which only statutory provisions, not specific proposals, will be discussed.
 
Speaking to reporters today, Mrs Lam said NPCSC Deputy Secretary-General and Basic Law Committee Chairman Li Fei and NPCSC Legislative Affairs Commission Vice-Chairperson and Basic Law Committee Vice-Chairperson Zhang Rongshun had achieved the objective of explaining to senior officials the Basic Law and its provisions concerning the Chief Executive's selection through universal suffrage.
 
She said universal suffrage discussions must be carried out according to the Basic Law and relevant NPCSC interpretations and decisions, so clear explanations from Mr Li and Mr Zhang were needed.
 
The Government had adopted an open attitude in assisting press coverage, so Mr Li's speeches at two major events were released to the media quickly, she said, adding she hopes the same approach will be adopted in the upcoming constitutional reform consultation.
 
Mrs Lam also said the nomination process by a nomination committee is only one of the issues to be discussed, so she did not want to see any opposing attitude in the society before the consultation begins.
 
She added the consultation's scope covers the general public, so the Government is responsible for helping the public better grasp the Basic Law provisions.