The Constitutional Affairs Bureau says the Chief Executive election next March will be held in accordance with the Basic Law and electoral legislation, and in an open and fair manner.

Anyone wanting to take part can do so in accordance with the law.

Commenting on remarks made by lawmaker Yeung Sum in his Letter to Hong Kong broadcast on Radio Television Hong Kong today, the bureau said both the central authorities and the Government are fully committed to taking forward Hong Kong's constitutional development in accordance with the Basic Law, with a view to achieving the ultimate aim of universal suffrage.

Latest progress

Last November the Chief Executive initiated the discussion on formulating a roadmap for universal suffrage through the Commission on Strategic Development. The discussion is progressing well.

In May, the commission concluded discussions on the principles and concepts relating to universal suffrage. The commission is now focusing on the discussion of possible models for implementing universal suffrage for the Chief Executive and the Legislative Council.

The Government will publish a report to draw conclusions on the discussion of the commission during the first half of 2007, and will submit the report to the Central Government.

The bureau hopes the report will provide a basis for the Government to take forward constitutional development during the next term.