The Government will decide in the fourth quarter when to consult the public on the Chief Executive and Legislative Council electoral methods for 2012.

This was the message from the Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Bureau today in response to the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office's Six-monthly Report on Hong Kong.

The bureau said the public consultation will be undertaken as soon as possible so the two electoral methods for 2012 will be determined within the tenure of the third-term HKSAR Government, to lay a solid foundation for attaining universal suffrage for the Chief Executive in 2017 and for LegCo in 2020.

Between 2012 and 2017 the fourth-term HKSAR Government and the fifth-term LegCo will address together the method for implementing universal suffrage for the Chief Executive. Returned by universal suffrage and taking office in 2017, the Chief Executive will work with LegCo to attain universal suffrage for the legislature in 2020.

Rights & freedoms

The bureau said the Government is firmly committed to protecting the freedom of speech and the press, noting they are fundamental rights enjoyed by Hong Kong people.

It will maintain an environment in which a free and active press can operate under minimum regulation. The media rigorously performs its role in monitoring the Government's work. Those working in the field must also protect the integrity of their profession.

On racial discrimination the bureau said the concerned bill was passed by the legislature on July 10 with various amendments to address views of lawmakers and other parties. Preparations for its implementation are ongoing.

The Government is taking steps to enhance support for ethnic minorities in Hong Kong, including establishing four regional support service centres to provide interpretation services and to organise activities to facilitate their integration into the community.