Chief Secretary for Administration Rafael Hui says the Government has amended the proposed political reform package by reducing the number of the District Councils' appointed seats in stages from 2008.

Speaking to the press this afternoon, Mr Hui said the move is in response to public views on the proposed package, particularly on the arrangement of the council's appointed seats.

Reaffirming the appointed councillors' legal status and rights, Mr Hui said a drastic reduction in the number, or even elimination, of appointed seats would have an impact on the quality of Government services delivered at the district level. 

"It is not an easy task to balance the different interests. Having regard to the considerations, the Government is prepared to make some adjustments to the proposals."

Adressing concerns: Chief Secretary Rafael Hui (left) says the Government has amended the proposed political reform package by reducing the number of the District Councils' appointed seats in stages from 2008. Chief Executive Donald Tsang says the adjustments aim to help get the package through LegCo.

Adjustments part of the overall package

The Government proposed to reduce the number of the councils' appointed seats from 102 to 68 when the new term of the council commences on January 1, 2008.

In light of the actual situation then, it will decide before the end of 2011 whether to reduce the number of appointed seats to zero in January 2012, or to 34 in January in 2012 and then to zero in January 2016.

The adjustments form part of the Government's overall package for the 2007/08 electoral arrangements, Mr Hui said.

"They will not necessitate any amendments to the two motions that the Government will move at the LegCo meeting on 21 December to amend Annexes I and II of the Basic Law." 

If LegCo passes the two motions, the Government will implement the changes to appointed seats through amendments to local legislation. 

"If the two motions are voted down, we will not proceed with the changes to the appointed DC seats. However, the community can continue to discuss this subject, for example, in the context of the review of DC which in any case will start in the first quarter of 2006," he said.

Consistent with public drive for democracy

Mr Hui believed the adjustments are not only consistent with the public drive for democratic development, but also in accordance with the principles of "in light of the actual situation", "gradual and orderly progress" and "having regard to the interests of different strata of the community".

"These adjustments are the most the Government can do," he stressed.

In another press briefing, Chief Executive Donald Tsang said the adjustments aim to address the concerns of some lawmakers and Hong Kong people, and to help get the package through LegCo.

"Like most Hong Kong people, I sincerely hope the electoral arrangements for 2007 and 2008 will take us a step closer to universal suffrage, rather than leave us marching on the spot."

Two issues not conflicting

He reiterated that the passage of the constitutional reform package in no way conflicts with the desire for a roadmap and timetable beyond 2008.

"Hong Kong people support a timetable, but they also support the passage of this constitutional development package. I share that wish. "

Mr Tsang said he will follow up the discussion on the issue of a roadmap and timetable in the Commission on Strategic Development and to conclude, in early 2007, the commission's deliberations on the design of the electoral systems when attaining universal suffrage.

"On the basis of these conclusions, we will explore the drawing up of a timetable for universal suffrage. I will make our conclusions public and reflect them to the Central Government."

Public, Central Gov't support the package 

He said the package now tabled before the LegCo has been the subject of prolonged consultation.

"It enjoys the support of the majority of the people. I am confident it will be endorsed by the Central Government. Hong Kong's political system is ready to take a significant step towards universal suffrage.

The people of Hong Kong do not want the electoral arrangements for the Chief Executive in 2007 and the Legislative Council in 2008 to stop in their tracks, Mr Tsang added.

"All we need now is the support of legislators to allow us to take this first step."