The Government has today announced a package of proposals on the methods for selecting the Chief Executive and for forming the Legislative Council in 2012. This is a critical stage for our constitutional development.
This package is based firmly on the Basic Law and the National People's Congress Standing Committee's decision. And, we have taken full account of the views and suggestions expressed during the consultation period.
Mainstream view
This current package is an improvement on the proposals put forward in the consultation document. Compared with the existing election arrangements, this package opens new doors for political participation, enhances the democratic elements of our system, and creates favourable conditions to achieve universal suffrage in 2017 and 2020. I believe the package reflects mainstream public opinion and will enjoy majority support.
Hong Kong is undoubtedly a pluralistic society. It is not easy to reach a consensus on such an important issue as political reform. But, for all our differences, we share the same objective, and that is to move forward our political system and to achieve our goal of universal suffrage.
Whether the package can be passed is entirely our own choice. We want to see progress and not another stalemate; we want to focus on common ground, rather than cling to our own views; and, we must work together for the best interests of Hong Kong, rather than pursue our own personal interests.
In 2005, we let a golden opportunity slip away. We cannot afford to let that happen again. Doing so would mean wasting a few more years and stalling further our constitutional development. And, the infighting would continue over this perennial issue.
Consensus call
Recently, there have been some encouraging signs. People with different political affiliations and different views on democratic development have been taking a pragmatic and moderate stance, and have pursued rational dialogue. They are doing this for the sake of constitutional development.
This is a very good start and I encourage them all to continue these efforts, to promote rational dialogue, to build mutual trust, to adopt a pragmatic approach and to persevere in accommodating different views, until we have finally ushered in universal suffrage.
In 2007 the Standing Committee decided on the timetable for universal suffrage. This is a green light to proceed. But, what we need now is a consensus on this reform package and to secure its passage in the Legislative Council. Then we shall have a solid foundation for implementing universal suffrage in 2017 and 2020.
It's now time for a consensus. We need your support.
Chief Executive Donald Tsang issued this statement to the media today, on the 2012 Constitutional Reform Proposals.
