HKSAR Government Reiterates Position on Constitutional Development

The HKSAR Government will “take forward constitutional development in accordance with the Basic Law and the Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPCSC).”

This was stated by a government spokesman in response to the US Congressional-Executive Commission on China's hearing on "Hong Kong After the Elections: The Future of 'One Country, Two Systems’” on September 23. 

The spokesman said that, "The Basic Law provides that the elections of the Chief Executive (CE) and all the members of the Legislative Council (LegCo) by universal suffrage is the ultimate aim, and this will be achieved by gradual and orderly progress and in the light of the actual situation of Hong Kong. 

"Although under the NPCSC Decision, universal suffrage will not be introduced in 2007 and 2008 for the elections of the CE and of the LegCo, there is scope to make further improvements to our electoral system and to make progress towards the ultimate aim of universal suffrage.”

He added that the community will continue to play an important role in Hong Kong's constitutional development. 

“The Constitutional Development Task Force chaired by the Hong Kong Chief Secretary for Administration will endeavour to find common ground and build consensus as we take forward our constitutional development process. 

"We hope that foreign governments and legislatures will continue to respect the principle that Hong Kong's electoral arrangements should be made in accordance with the Basic Law.”

The recent election was an important milestone in Hong Kong's constitutional development, with 50% of the LegCo Members returned by direct election, achieving records in terms of voter turnout and the number of candidates participating demonstrating public support for the electoral system. 

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