Way forward: Chief Executive Donald Tsang urges the public to study the Government's constitutional reform proposals and share their views with lawmakers.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang urges Hong Kong people to put aside differences and work together to push for constitutional advancement.

Speaking on the Legislative Council by-election after participating in a radio talk show this morning, Mr Tsang said without co-operation between all parties the future of Hong Kong's democracy was at stake.

"We must now focus on the package that is now put on the table for 2012 and ask ourselves a few fundamental questions. The first is, compared with the existing electoral arrangements, does it represent progress towards greater democracy? Second, will the passage of this package lay a stronger foundation, than the present electoral system, for implementing universal suffrage election of the Chief Executive in 2017 and of the Legislative Council in 2020?

"Third, for those of our friends wanting more democratic reform than what is being offered, is it true the passage of this package will not become an obstacle to realising their ultimate goals for universal suffrage? Fourth, will the passage of the package help increase the trust between the Central Government, the Hong Kong Government, LegCo and the public at large, which in turn will help promote further dialogue, co-operation and consensus on the details of universal suffrage elections?"

Mr Tsang said the answers to these questions are obvious, with recent opinion polls on the reform package showing "those who want to see LegCo approve the reform package are consistently in the majority".

He noted yesterday's by-election was unique and contentious, and said those who voted should be respected.

"At the same time, we should not ignore the views of the silent majority who chose not to vote, many of whom believed the by-election had been an abuse of the electoral system and a waste of taxpayers' money," he said.

Communication key

In the radio show Mr Tsang said the constitutional reform package will be put to the vote in LegCo before this legislative year ends in July.

He said while the by-election shows Hong Kong people do not support radical measures, he stressed communication channels between the Government and political organisations are always open. He particularly wants to create opportunities to let Beijing and the pan-democrats communicate.

On the issue of functional constituencies, Mr Tsang said they are a political arrangement dating from British rule which cannot be resolved quickly.

He urged parties to communicate to seek a balanced participation system, adding the Government has increased the democratic elements in the 2012 constitutional reform package.

In the coming weeks Mr Tsang will explain the package's contents and significance directly to the community. He hopes people will spare some time to study the proposals and reflect their views to their LegCo members.

"There is still time before LegCo members have to make a final decision. Before they do I urge them to listen to the views of the people. At stake is nothing less than the future of our democracy, the future of Hong Kong. We lost a golden opportunity five years ago. We must not let it happen again."