Pressing task: Chief Executive Donald Tsang says handling the 2012 Chief Executive and the Legislative Council elections in a proper manner is an immediate task for the Government.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang urges people to discuss the arrangements for the 2012 Chief Executive and the Legislative Council elections with tolerance, patience and calmness, and not create new obstacles to getting a social consensus.

Attending the LegCo question-and-answer session this afternoon he said handling the two elections in a proper manner is an immediate task for the Government.

A consultation exercise will start next month and he is willing to meet lawmakers to note their views. The process will be transparent and will not be monopolised by him, Mr Tsang said.

Noting some lawmakers suggest discussing the universal suffrage proposals for 2017 and 2020 first, he said it will create more difficulties, stalling the city's constitutional reform.

Arrangement framework

The National People's Congress Standing Committee's decision has already set a framework for the elections in 2012 and thereafter.

"For the CE elections, if we can put in place a proper election committee for the 2012 election, we would have addressed to a large extent the question of the composition of the nomination committee for the 2017 election.

"For the LegCo elections we are now moving towards the goal of electing all members by universal suffrage in 2020. The existing functional constituencies do not fully comply with the principles of university and equality. Therefore, they could not be retained in the current form in the 2020 electoral system. In drawing up the electoral methods for the 2012 and 2016 LegCo elections, these issues must be taken into consideration."

Mr Tsang said he hoped all people are sincerely striving for democracy, rather than a democracy agenda.

"We have already had a timetable on universal suffrage. How we take the next step forward is a test for me as well as for everyone on our wisdom and commitment to democracy."

Wealth creation

Responding to criticism the Policy Address has not introduced many measures to help the underprivileged, he said handing out goodies is not a feasible long-term solution to poverty.

Wealth creation is the answer to the problem, he said, adding enhancing the traditional pillar industries and developing the six industries will create more jobs and wealth, generating new resources to help the needy.

Hong Kong has already put in place a comprehensive social security and welfare system for the underprivileged, and the Policy Address has outlined new measures to help the elderly and people with mental health problems. 

Elderly allowance

When asked whether the Government will relax the residence restrictions on old age allowance recipients, Mr Tsang said the Government will continue to study the matter because it involves legislative issues.

On recent property price trends, he said the Government has been assessing developments by monitoring many indicators. It will study whether the recent surge in extra-luxury flat prices will be infectious in the general real-estate market.

Reiterating the Government will handle the matter with great care, he said it will fine-tune its land supply arrangements when necessary.