Central Government supports democratic development in Hong Kong: lawmaker

A Chinese lawmaker said on Friday in Shenzhen that the Central Government supports democratic development in Hong Kong in a legal and progressive manner.

"During his meeting with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Donald Tsang on Nov. 18, President Hu Jintao has made very clear the stand of the Central Government on development of the political system in Hong Kong," said Qiao Xiaoyang, deputy secretary-general of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.

Addressing a symposium on the development of the political system in Hong Kong, held in China's southern city of Shenzhen, Qiao said it is necessary to truly understand the speech of President Hu in order to make an objective and fair assessment of the election reform package proposed by the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

At the symposium, attended by Hong Kong legislators and Hong Kong people from various circles, Qiao said that there are four main points in the stand of the Central Government expressed by Hu:

First, it is the Central Government's consistent policy to support the HKSAR in its efforts to develop a democratic system which suits the actual situation in Hong Kong, in accordance with the law and in a step-by-step manner.

Promoting democracy in Hong Kong step by step with the ultimate goal of electing the HKSAR Chief Executive and all members of the Legislative Council by universal suffrage has been explicitly stated in the HKSAR Basic Law. It is also a solemn commitment made by the Central Government.

Second, it is the Central Government's consistent stand that Hong Kong's political system should be developed in a steady, down-to-earth and orderly manner, in accordance with the Basic Law and the reality in Hong Kong.

Third, the Central Government sincerely hopes Hong Kong people from various circles and communities will take the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong into account, and try to reach a consensus through rational discussions and consultations.

Fourth, the Central Government sincerely hopes Hong Kong people of various circles and communities will work hard together to create favorable conditions for the realization of the ultimate goal of general election for the Chief Executive and all Legislative Council members as stipulated by the Basic Law.

Referring to a recent speech by HKSAR Chief Executive Donald Tsang to the Hong Kong people, Qiao said that he thinks the speech is very pragmatic, open and sincere.

In the speech, Tsang said the election reform proposals are democratic proposals. It can enable Hong Kong to take a big step forward along the road to universal suffrage. As for the next step relating to a roadmap and timetable, he pledged to discuss the matters in the Commission on Strategic Development and other channels as soon as possible.

"It pointed out the cause of the differences in Hong Kong communities concerning the development of the political system, and put forward a method to tackle it. The speech is worthy of serious reflection by the Hong Kong people from various communities," he said.

Source: Xinhua