More than half of the 800 Election Committee (EC) members had
nominated Donald Tsang to run for the next term chief executive
(CE) poll.
"I have obtained 450 nominations. I will not only continue
getting the support of other EC members and their votes, but also
get them agree with my election manifesto," Tsang said
yesterday.
He said he understood the wish of the members and pledged that
he would respond to the demands in the coming five years, if
re-elected.
The CE election will be held on March 25, with Tsang and Civic
Party legislator Alan Leong contesting for the top job.
Explaining his re-election manifesto to Election Committee
members yesterday, Tsang said social disputes would be narrowed
down should the issue of constitutional development be tackled in
the next five years.
Public livelihood and economic situation could be improved under
a harmonious society, Tsang said.
"If I can tackle the constitutional development issue as early
as possible after being re-elected, the chances for the community
to argue on other issues would then be reduced. This can help
create a harmonious society, and the discussion for tackling public
livelihood and economic issues would be widened," he said.
Tsang had earlier pledged that a green paper concluding the
discussion on universal suffrage by the Commission for Strategic
Development would be issued in mid-2007, listing the roadmap and
timetable for democracy.
Stressing the issue as one of the 10 challenges facing Hong
Kong, he said democratic development should not paralyze the
government and affect efficiency.
He said the green paper would list the acceptable proposals of
democratic development by different sectors, including the
opposition camp.
"The opinions of different parties would be included in the
green paper, enabling Hong Kong citizens to have in-depth
discussion and pick up an acceptable model. This is the aim of the
green paper. I am willing to present the views of the
pan-democratic camp for discussion if they can coordinate and
conclude their suggestions," he said.
Social enterprise summit
If elected, Tsang said, he would convene a summit on social
enterprises to tackle the poverty gap and create job opportunities
for the poor as soon as possible after the election in March.
Representatives from the business sector, non-governmental
organizations and jobless people would be invited to the submit and
study the establishment of social enterprises in remote areas or
districts with high unemployment rate.
His manifesto had stated that 10,000 three-year jobs would be
created for youngsters.
Tsang said he had discussed a lot of topics, including political
development, social welfare, social services and sports
development, with Election Committee members.
(China Daily HK Edition February 5, 2007)