Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Raymond Tam says a collective effort can bring a consensus on constitutional reform.
Briefing reporters after attending a dinner hosted by the Chief Secretary for Legislative Councillors this evening, Mr Tam said the legislators who attended had a very candid discussion about the common goal of achieving universal suffrage in 2017.
He said they expressed their concerns on achieving that objective, and those about proposals containing any kind of screening.
"I think while tonight's discussion was candid and direct, and in our view was a very good start, it is still quite a long way before we can achieve any consensus which would enable us to have at least two-thirds majority [support] in the Legislative Council. Having said that, it is still quite early at the moment and I think by exerting collective effort together, we may still have a chance to achieve that."