Ideas exchange: Chief Executive Donald Tsang speaks to reporters upon his arrival in Singapore.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang says Hong Kong may achieve the ultimate goal of universal suffrage in 2012 or beyond, providing the proposal gets the support of the National People's Congress Standing Committee and two-thirds of lawmakers.

Speaking to the media in Singapore, Mr Tsang pointed out a pragmatic approach should be adopted when talking about universal suffrage, adding the issue should be discussed rationally.

Commenting on remarks that Hong Kong is not a democratic city, Mr Tsang stressed Hong Kong has an independent judicial system.

Mr Tsang started his three-day visit to Singapore today. He will get an update on the city state's latest economic, political and social developments. He will also call on senior Singaporean government officials and be briefed on the city's latest developments in education, tourism, trade and industry.

Noting only several principal officials here are from the business sector and most are from the civil service, Mr Tsang said he will take this opportunity to see how the Singaporean government attracts talent from different sectors to join the government.