The National People's Congress Standing Committee has agreed there may be amendments to the methods for selecting Hong Kong's chief executive in 2007 and forming the Legislative Council in 2008, but it has ruled out the possibility of universal suffrage for the upcoming elections.

The method of universal suffrage will not apply to the election of the Third Chief Executive in 2007, nor to the election of all members of the Fourth Legislative Council in 2008, the committee said.

It agreed with Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa's report on constitutional development, that specific methods for selecting the Chief Executive in 2007 and forming the Legislative Council in 2008 could be "appropriately modified" under the principle of gradual and orderly progress and in light of specific conditions of Hong Kong, in accordance with the Basic Law.

The 50-50 ratio of directly elected lawmakers and those from functional constituencies will remain unchanged for the 2008 elections, and procedures for voting on bills and motions in LegCo cannot be altered.

In a statement released by Xinhua news agency, the committee also stressed any changes to electoral methods had to be in accordance with nine principles laid down in the Chief Executive's report.

They must also have the support of the State Council Office and the people of Hong Kong.

Committee outlines reasons for decision

Since the handover in 1997, the number of directly elected LegCo members has increased "remarkably", the committee said.

However, it added, "the influence of the directly-elected members upon Hong Kong's society's general operation, especially the influence upon the executive-led mechanism, is yet to be tested by practice."

Different social circles in Hong Kong still have considerable differences about the methods of selecting the Chief Executive and for forming LegCo after 2007, and no broad consensus has yet been reached, it added.

Universal suffrage remains ultimate goal

The committee's statement, issued through Xinhua, stressed that "it is the consistent stance of the Central Authorities to develop democracy in Hong Kong in the principle of gradual and orderly progress and in the light of specific conditions of the region, in accordance with the Basic Law of Hong Kong.

"The final goal will surely be reached as provided for by the Basic Law that the Chief Executive will be electred through universal suffrage after nomination by a nomination committee with broad representation through democratic procedures, and all the members of the LegCo be elected through universal suffrage."

Committee chairman responds to decision

Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Wu Bangguo said the committee's decision demonstrate the great importance and concern the Central Authorities attach to Hong Kong's constitutional development.

"The Central Authorities have been very prudent in handling issues of constitutional development in Hong Kong," Mr Wu said.

Qiao Xiaoyang to address two forums in HK

The committee's Deputy Secretary-General Qiao Xiaoyang, Deputy Director of the Commission of Legislative Affairs Li Fei, and HK & Macau Affairs Office Vice-Minister Xu Ze will visit Hong Kong today to address two forums on constitutional reform.

The Government and the HK Liaison Office of the Central People's Government have organised the two events.

The first session will be held at 5pm at the International Trade & Exhibition Centre in Kowloon Bay. Participants will include HK National People's Congress deputies, and local Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee members.