Voting for the 2012 constitutional reform proposals does not prejudice the continual quest by some for abolition of the functional constituency seats and clarification of universal suffrage principles, Secretary for Justice Wong Yan Lung says.

Attending the Citi Community Intern Programme recognition ceremony today, Mr Wong said voting for the proposals and seeking the ultimate goal of universal suffrage for 2017 and 2020 are two separate matters.

"Instead, reaching consensus and moving on can only put us in a better position to resolve the issues because of greater consensus and greater democratic elements in the next LegCo," Mr Wong said.

If the 2012 proposals were voted down, it would mean the waste of 10 years with absolutely zero progress, he added.

Critical moment

Mr Wong said the ultimate goal of universal suffrage can only be achieved by consensus and in compliance with legal procedures.

"We truly believe we have reached a critical moment, and how we fare this time will significantly affect the well-being of this community."

He said the proposals in the 2012 constitutional reform are unquestionably a move in the right direction, with an increase in the democratic element in both elections.

"Although passing the proposals now is not a prerequisite for the universal suffrage timetable, voting them down will undermine the prospects of reaching consensus in the next rounds of political reform.

"Further, if the voting down of the proposals worsens the polarisation of the Hong Kong community, all of us will have to pay a very hefty price," Mr Wong added.