Book-smarts: Chief Executive Donald Tsang greets youngsters at the Hong Kong Book Fair at the Convention & Exhibition Centre. He said the Government is aware of the community's aspirations regarding universal suffrage.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang says the issue of universal suffrage will be handled practically and the Government is aware of the community's aspirations.

The Commission on Strategic Development will discuss models for implementing universal suffrage for the Chief Executive election on July 28.

After its establishment last November, the commission discussed the principles and concepts of universal suffrage, and concluded that in implementing it the principle of gradual and orderly progress, meeting Hong Kong's actual situation, facilitating the capitalist economy's development and addressing different sectors' interests, must be complied with.

Following last year's wide discussion on the proposed package for the electoral methods for 2007 and 2008, the discussion on constitutional development has been brought to a new stage. Discussion on models for implementing universal suffrage for the Legislative Council election will begin in the next six months.

The Government hopes the discussions will help the community reach a consensus on constitutional development. People and organisations are welcome to voice proposals for consideration.

A report to draw conclusions on the commission's discussion will be ready early next year. The conclusions will also be reflected to the Central Government. This can provide a wider basis for promoting constitutional development from 2007 to 2012.