The way ahead: Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang calls on Hong Kong people to forward their proposals for elections in 2007-08.

Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang has called on Hong Kong people to forward their proposals on how the Chief Executive and the Legislative Council should be elected in 2007 and 2008.

Taking press questions after the Constitutional Development Task Force issued its third report today, Mr Tsang, the body's chairman, said the public will be consulted from June to August and their views will be collated and a series of proposals on election amendments drawn up.

The report sets out election areas which may be considered for amendment.

Team effort required

"Apart from the scope of amendments in the third report, the task force welcomes other views and proposals from the community, regarding the methods for electing the Chief Executive and forming LegCo," Mr Tsang said.

"I would like to call on all sectors of our community to actively participate in this discussion. I understand some are disheartened by the fact universal suffrage will not be introduced for the elections. However, I hope they can overcome these sentiments and make the best use of this opportunity to make progress in our constitutional development."

Mr Tsang said determining the amendment details will require Hong Kong's "collective resolve and persistence".

"Only through frank discussions and careful consideration can we eliminate the gaps. We need to build a consensus within our community before the three-party consensus, as envisioned by the Basic Law, can be reached."

Seminars will garner feedback and understanding

To facilitate rational and pragmatic discussion, the task force will organise a series of seminars offering a better understanding of the views and concerns of all sectors, providing a "melting pot" for ideas on how to amend election methods.

Mr Tsang urged people forwarding their proposals to ensure their ideas fall within the framework of the Basic Law and the committee's decision.

"Any that go beyond this framework will only be futile," he said.

"If we are truly committed to improving our political structure, then we must forgo the impossible and pursue the possible. Otherwise the opportunity to build a consensus will just come and go, and the public's wish to improve election methods in 2007-08 will not be met."

An open and transparent process

The task force will collate all views received and construct a series of proposals by this autumn.

Mr Tsang assured the body will operate in a "highly open and transparent manner", and all views will be publicised.

"We will try to reach consensus. If this can be done we will have a higher chance of getting the Central Government's support and agreement. We have to be understanding to one another, and we have to understand that we need to have a three-party consensus for things to succeed.

"I believe Hong Kong people are very reasonable and rational. We have to be tolerant and I do not think it will be difficult to build a consensus. All parties can feel free to give their views. We have to find proposals which are generally acceptable among Hong Kong people. And if the proposals are within the scope of the committee's decision, then we can succeed.

"If we proceed with this methodically, fairly, transparently, I think we will meet the aspirations of many people."