Step by step: Attending the Legco Q&A session, Chief Executive Donald Tsang expressed hope for the early implementation of universal suffrage.

The Government plans a four-step approach to achieving universal suffrage, Chief Executive Donald Tsang says. Pursuing expanded democracy in the two 2012 elections is step one.

The second step will focus on the last Legislative Council elections in 2016, prior to universal suffrage. The third and fourth steps will be the election of the Chief Executive by universal suffrage in 2017, and having LegCo returned by universal suffrage in 2020, Mr Tsang said.

Speaking at a question-and-answer session in LegCo today, the Chief Executive stressed that since the National People's Congress Standing Committee clearly set out the timetable for implementing universal suffrage on December 29, people should have a new way of thinking about and discussing Hong Kong's political development. This would push forward democracy as soon as possible, pragmatically and rationally.

He also said with the framework in place, Hong Kong people have sufficient time to deliberate the detailed election arrangements.

While some Hong Kong people have been skeptical about the Central and Hong Kong Governments' sincerity in implementing universal suffrage, Mr Tsang described such distrust as unnecessary and unconstructive.

He stressed that under the 'One country, two systems' framework, Hong Kong people should respect the Central Government's authority concerning political development. The Standing Committee's decision, he said, is a serious one.

Establishing a future democratic system of which Hong Kong people can be proud hinges on whether the city can move away from the vicious internal rift. Each and every Hongkonger has a responsibility to play their part in this, Mr Tsang noted.

Consensus within reach

He said the electoral arrangements for 2012 should not remain intact again, delaying the pace of implementing universal suffrage. He expressed confidence that a consensus can be reached, with Hong Kong people willing to adopt a pragmatic attitude and seek common ground.

On the new tiers of political appointees, Mr Tsang assured lawmakers that people who are capable, supportive of 'One country, two systems', and patriotic will be considered. He stressed there will not be any 'under-the-table' deals.

Livelihood issues

Turning to recent concerns about the supply of live pigs, the Chief Executive said the Ministry of Commerce had agreed, at a morning meeting with the Food & Health Bureau, to make daily notifications about the number of live pigs to be supplied one day ahead, to increase transparency and maintain a stable auction price.

The Ministry also reiterated that more than 4,000 live pigs will be transported to Hong Kong each day.

Help on way to Tin Shui Wai

Concerning Tin Shui Wai, Mr Tsang said the Government will work on five areas to improve the local situation. This includes:

* enhancing economic activities;

* boosting employment;

* providing financial aid for transport to facilitate cross-district employment;

* building more facilities, including medical establishments; and

* enhancing consolidation in the district and mutual assistance in the neighbourhood.

On inflation, he said the underprivileged have the greatest worry. He added the Financial Secretary is working on ways to help the needy in his 2008-09 budget. It is important to return wealth to the people provided the Government can meet the spending, Mr Tsang said.

Prepared to tackle financial uncertainty

While the US subprime mortgage problem will surely have an impact on Hong Kong, Mr Tsang said that, with sound fundamentals, a mature market and sufficient capital, the city is better equipped to tackle a crisis now than when  financial turmoil struck in 1997.

In response to questions about the Department of Justice's legal action against unauthorised broadcasting, the Chief Executive stressed Hong Kong must uphold the rule of law and in the interest of the public should not allow illegal activities.

Mr Tsang also said he expected a consultation regarding healthcare financing to start within the year.