The Government hopes different sectors of the community reach consensus through rational discussion to allow five million eligible voters to elect the next Chief Executive through 'one person, one vote' in 2017 as scheduled.
It issued the statement today in response to the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office's Six-monthly Report on Hong Kong.
The Government said it is committed to implementing universal suffrage for the Chief Executive election in 2017.
It said the freedom and right of procession and peaceful assembly are enshrined in the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance.
It said Police always handle public order events in a fair, just and impartial manner in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong.
Freedom of expression and of the press are enshrined in the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance, it said, adding the Government supports the principle of editorial autonomy and will not interfere with operations of media organisations.
