Road to reform: Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa says the proposed amendments will enable Hong Kong's constitutional development to move forward.

Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa has recommended to the Central Authorities that the methods for selecting the Chief Executive in 2007 and for forming the Legislative Council in 2008 should be amended, "so as to enable Hong Kong's constitutional development to move forward."

Constitutional Affairs Secretary Stephen Lam delivered the Chief Executive's report to the National People's Congress Standing Committee in Beijing this afternoon. It was based on the second report of the Constitutional Task Force, of which Mr Lam is a member.

Nine factors to be weighed in proposed changes

Nine key factors must be considered in determining the methods for selecting the Chief Executive and for forming LegCo in 2008, Mr Tung's report said. They are:

* Hong Kong must pay heed to the Central Authorities' views in examining the direction and pace of its constitutional development;

* proposed amendments must comply with the Basic Law;

* no proposed amendments can affect the Central Authorities' substantive power of appointment of the Chief Executive;

* proposed amendments must aim at consolidating the executive-led system and must not deviate from its design principle;

* development towards the ultimate aim of universal suffrage must progress in a gradual and orderly manner, not too fast;

* when considering the actual situation, public opinions, Hong Kong's legal status, the present stage of constitutional development, economic development, social conditions, the public's understanding of 'one country, two systems' and the Basic Law, public awareness of political participation, political talent and political groups' maturity and the relationship between executive authorities and the legislature must be taken into account;

* proposed changes must allow the representation of different sectors in the political structure, and enable them to participate in politics;

* proposed alterations must ensure that consideration continues to be given to different sectors' interests; and

* the changes must not have any adverse effects on the economy, monetary affairs, public finance and other systems as prescribed in the Basic Law.

Conclusion