Focus-group discussions will enable more in-depth and wider exchanges among different community sectors on Hong Kong's political reform, and promote better understanding of the issue, Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang says.

The Constitutional Task Force held the first focus group discussion at the North Point Government Offices today. Representatives from the religious and education sectors, youth groups, employers and employees associations aired their views on different aspects of the issue.

Speaking to the media after the discussion, Mr Tsang said the meeting was useful, that it helped people understand the issue better, and boosted communication among all sectors of society.

The seminars and focus group discussions have also shown that Hong Kong people are willing to discuss the city's political reform in a peaceful, rational manner, he added.

Mr Tsang revealed that district representatives will be invited to join focus-group discussions in the coming weeks. To keep the public abreast of the progress and views gauged during the discussions, such information will be made available at the task force's website.

Government committed to upholding freedoms

Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam said the Government welcomes views from all sides to work out a proposal that the community will accept and support.

He also reiterated the Government continues to uphold Hong Kong's freedoms, and people may air their views through different channels.