Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang said Saturday that he
hoped councilors could put aside prejudice and make the most
favorable decision on democracy in accordance with the Basic Law
and the decision made by the Standing Committee of the National
People's Congress.
"As for Hong Kong's democratic progress, I think nothing could
be more unfortunate to remain in the original place without
progress," Tsang said at a Hong Kong's local radio program.
"I hope every councilor could consider carefully if his decision
is a help or more of a hindrance to Hong Kong's democracy," he
added.
Tsang said the proposal by the government has done its best to
include the elements of geographical constituencies in the methods
for selecting the Chief Executive in 2007 and for forming the
Legislative Council in 2008.
On the method for selecting the Chief Executive in 2007, the
Task Force suggested to increase the number of members of the
Election Committee from the present 800 to 1,600, representing a
big step toward universal suffrage, Tsang said.
On the method for forming LegCo in 2008, the Task Force
suggested that the number of LegCo seats will be increased from 60
to 70, representing a broader electorate, he said.
Half of the newly added members of the Election Committee and
all the newly added LegCo seats would basically be directly or
indirectly elected by over 3 million voters in Hong Kong through
geographical constituencies, which means a greater participation of
Hong Kong citizens, Tsang added.
While talking about the roadmap and timetable for the universal
suffrage, Tsang said it is of great importance to the future of the
society, so it should be discussed thoroughly.
He reiterated that the Hong Kong government has sincerity in
pushing forward the democratic development.
(Xinhua News Agency November 13, 2005)