All ears: The Chief Executive says the Government will be in a listening mode, putting people first.

The Chief Executive stresses that the Government is "not stalling the democratisation process" in Hong Kong, adding that the constitutional review will proceed as quickly as possible. 

Speaking at today's question-and-answer session in the Legislative Council on his 2004 Policy Address, Tung Chee Hwa said while there is no time frame for the constitutional review, it would be done soonest in accordance with the spirit of the Basic Law.

He assured lawmakers that there will be enough time for changes to the arrangements for the 2007 and 2008 elections, if any.

Fundamentals must be sorted first

Mr Tung repeated that before conducting the review, we must sort out issues of principles and legal issues, and at the same time listen to the views of the Hong Kong people.                              

"The Central Government has made this request, and we are duty bound to respond to it," he said. "The Central Government has the power and responsibility to look into the matter and Hong Kong people have to accept this. It is only fair and reasonable for them to do so."

He added that, as the Chief Executive, one of his duties is to implement the Basic Law and that made him accountable to Hong Kong as well as the Central Government.  

He reiterated that the whole exercise is for the good of Hong Kong people - for current and future generations.

On the need for a formal channel to air Hong Kong people's views to Beijing, Mr Tung said, "Beijing is fully aware of what is going on in Hong Kong. Through various channels, they are able to grasp the sentiments of Hong Kong. We should not underestimate the Central Government on this."

People to get a respite as economy improves

On the challenges that have been facing Hong Kong, Mr Tung said the economic transformation in the past few years has been a painful experience.

The Asian financial crisis, bursting of the bubble economy, low spending incentives, negative assets, fiscal deficit, serious deflation, globalisation, mismatch of the labour sector and downward trend of wages are external factors that came to Hong Kong "like an avalanche".

He understands why Hong Kong people were angry and discontented.

"But, no measures would yield results overnight," he noted. The Government's policies to leverage the Mainland's strengths are in place and working. The economy is bouncing back after taking a hammering in the SARS outbreak.

Gov't will listen to the people

"The economy is going to look up this year and next year. Also, Hong Kong should stand to benefit from the double-digit economic growth in the Mainland," he said. 

When some lawmakers asked whether he would resign, Mr Tung said whether he stays or not does not matter. It is not easy for him to stay, and to stay on requires commitment. Still, he has chosen to remain because there is still much work to be done.

As the local economy improves, he said, government revenue will increase. This will give people a respite and the Government greater room to manoeuvre.