Prudent point: Chief Executive Donald Tsang says consensus will help Hong Kong achieve universal suffrage as soon as possible.

The election of the Chief Executive by universal suffrage should be preceded by the nomination of candidates by a broadly representative committee in accordance with democratic procedures. This was the message from Chief Executive Donald Tsang after the Strategic Development Commission's Committee on Governance & Political Development meeting today.

Members agreed with the move, and will study the nomination arrangements in detail, particularly how the nominating committee should be formed, and the mechanism for nominating aspiring CEs.

"I hope that various parties and community sectors will participate actively in these discussions and put forward specific proposals in the months ahead," Mr Tsang said.

Conclusions next year

He looks to prepare a report and draw conclusions on the committee's discussions next year.

"Much depends on the progress of our deliberations over the next few months. The concluding report will be made public and I will submit it to the Central Government. This report will provide a foundation for pushing forward political development beyond 2007."

Mr Tsang said he will listen to views from a wide cross-section of the community and will reflect to the Central Government the aspirations of Hong Kong people and specific proposals from various sectors. He said it is inappropriate for the Government to put forward a preferred option at this stage.

"What we want to do is to provide as much room as possible for various organisations and individuals to express their views before we draw any conclusions."

Mr Tsang warned that the city will stand little chance of improving its electoral system if everybody insists on his or her own views and refuses to hear others out.

"Only if we can pragmatically narrow differences and reach a consensus, will it be possible for us to achieve universal suffrage at an early date."