The Constitutional Development Task Force of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government issued its third report Tuesday. The report specifies areas that may be considered for amendment and invites opinions and specific proposals from the community regarding methods for selecting the chief executive of the SAR and for forming the Legislative Council (LegCo).

The deadline for submissions is August 31.

The proposals must fall within the parameters specified by the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee's interpretation of annexes to the Basic Law and decision on the methods for selecting the chief executive in 2007 and for forming the LegCo in 2008.

At a press conference, Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa said he fully appreciates "that there is an aspiration in the community for returning the chief executive and all members of the Legislative Council by universal suffrage."

He added, "I also understand that some people feel disappointed about not having universal suffrage in 2007 and 2008. But let me reiterate two points. First, the NPC Standing Committee's interpretation of the relevant provisions in the Basic Law and its decision on constitutional issues have been made entirely for the sake of Hong Kong's long-term interests, prosperity and stability."

"Second, the ultimate aim of having universal suffrage in our democratic development process will not change." he said.

The task force, established by the chief executive to carry out matters relating to constitutional development, released on March 30 its first report on legislative process issues in the Basic Law. It issued its second report on April 15, on issues of principle in the Basic Law.

(Xinhua News Agency May 12, 2004)