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If constitutional development is to proceed, residents must adopt a "receptive attitude and seek to act in the common interests of the community".
This was a key message in the second report from the Constitutional Task Force, released today. It focuses on the issues of principle in the Basic Law in relation to constitutional development and comes to the conclusion that the methods for selecting the Chief Executive in 2007 and for forming the Legislative Council in 2008 should be amended.
The report also formed the basis of Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa's report, delivered to to the National People's Congress Standing Committee in Beijing this afternoon. In it, he endorses the task force's conclusions - and asks the committee to determine whether the methods may be amended. (Related story)
Constitutional development a long-term process
Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang - the head of the three-member task force - stressed that the report had not laid out any options for introducing reforms.
"First things, first," he said. "The Standing Committee will come to a decision first. The options will not be rushed. We need to know where to go from here." He added he could not say how long it would take for the committee to reply to Mr Tung's report.
The report hints that changes, if confirmed by the committee, will not be introduced quickly.
"The discussion on political development entails wide-ranging and complicated issues. These issues cannot be resolved overnight.The methods and channels to resolve them vary from issue to issue. Constitutional development is a long-term process. We must proceed strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law. We should adhere to the premise of not changing the design of the political structure in the Basic Law. On this basis, we can examine what room there is for changing the methods for selecting the Chief Executive and for forming the Legislative Council in the Annexes to the Basic Law," it reads.
Task Force reflects views of the community
The aim of the constitutional development exercise - universal suffrage - is clearly stated in the report. However, the big question remains as to the timing. It states: "It is the common goal of the Central Authorities, the HKSAR Government and the Hong Kong community to pursue constitutional development. The Basic Law provides that the ultimate aim is the selection of the Chief Executive and the election of all the members of the Legislative Council by universal suffrage. What the community has yet to reach consensus on are the pace and specific options for constitutional development."
Mr Tsang told reporters any amendments for constitutional development must be made with the endorsement of a two-thirds majority of all LegCo members and the consent of the Chief Executive, and be reported to the National People's Congress Standing Committee for approval or for the record.
"None of these steps is dispensable," the report states. "All these elements are essential. For the process to bear fruit, we must understand this political reality, and we must try to appreciate and consider each other's position."
The report was based on meetings with and submissions from all sectors of the community. Up to April 3, the task force had met with 86 individuals and organisations to gather their views, and had received more than 660 letters, faxes and. The submissions can be viewed online.
Divergent views must be weighed
There are divergent views within the community, especially regarding the definitions of the "actual situation" in Hong Kong and "gradual and orderly progress" - two conditions for determining whether change is necessary as set out in the Basic Law.
There are also concerns that there is a lack of political talent in Hong Kong, and that political parties are not yet mature. These two factors could have an impact on the pace of change. In reply to a reporter's query, Mr Tsang said: "Democratisation will bring about maturity; it just takes time."
Nine guiding principles to be considered
Nine guiding principles that must be considered when determining ways to amend the methods for selecting the Chief Executive and for forming the Legislative Council are spelled out in the report. (See pages 38 & 39.)
While some reporters queried whether these were barriers to change, Mr Tsang countered that Hong Kong would "have a higher chance of meeting community consensus if the options come close to meeting these nine points". He added that the task force had not weighted these principles, nor given any of them priority over the others.
"We are only describing principles, and these are the result of wide consultation," he said.
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