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 From Hong Kong's Information Services Department
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April 10, 2004
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Constitutional development
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Report to avoid specific election plans

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The Constitutional Development Task Force's second report to the Chief Executive this month will not cover specific plans on constitutional development.

 

Instead, it will analyse public views gathered over the past two months. It will also refer to opinion polls on universal suffrage in Hong Kong.

 

Speaking on an RTHK programme, Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam said he believed the Central Government would fully consider the views of the Hong Kong community before deciding on Tung Chee Hwa's recommendations.

 

Stephen Lam said the second report would focus on whether universal suffrage should be implemented in 2007 and 2008, and would not cover specific plans on constitutional development.

 

The task force had not yet finalised its report, he noted.

 

Mr Lam stressed that the interpretation of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress was not a barrier for Hong Kong's constitutional development. The Central Government had the authority and responsibility to examine Hong Kong's fundamental systems.

 

The visit of standing committee members to Hong Kong to explain the interpretation strengthened communication between the two parties, and helped Hong Kong to handle matters concerning its constitutional development.