Stepping forward: Chief Executive Donald Tsang signs instruments of consent at Government House.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang signed instruments of consent at Government House today giving consent to the draft amendments to Annexes I and II to the Basic Law concerning the methods of selecting the Chief Executive and forming the Legislative Council.

He will hand the draft amendments to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for approval or for the record.

"In a historic moment last week the Legislative Council passed by a two-thirds majority the motions put forth by the Government concerning the draft amendments to the methods for the selection of the Chief Executive and for the formation of the Legislative Council in 2012. That is a milestone in Hong Kong's democratic development," he said.

"The formal consent I gave to the draft amendments today reflects the aspirations of Hong Kong people to roll forward our constitutional development towards universal suffrage. Though the ceremony today is simple, it represents the long-term efforts of many in achieving greater democracy in Hong Kong."