Hong Kong unveils "crucial step" towards electoral democracy (Roundup)

Nov 18, 2009, 10:12 GMT

   Hong Kong - Hong Kong's government on Wednesday unveiled a package of proposed electoral reforms for 2012 that it described as a 'crucial step' towards full democracy in the city of 7 million.

   The proposals, contained in a public consultation document, aim to show that the government is pressing ahead with the timetable for universal suffrage in 2017.

   However, they appear unlikely to please the pro-democracy camp which already criticized them as a rehash of reforms rejected in 2005 by lawmakers who were then angry at the lack of progress.

   Hong Kong currently has only limited democracy with half of its 60 legislators directly elected and no public vote for the chief executive who is picked by a largely pro-Beijing election committee.

   Under the terms of its mini-constitution adopted when the former British colony was handed back to China in 1997, Hong Kong was technically entitled to full democracy from 2007.

   But Beijing intervened to rule out universal suffrage for at least 10 more years.

   The new proposals make only slight changes to the current electoral system, including expanding the current Legislative Council by 10 seats, five of which will be directly elected and five voted in by district councillors.

   The election committee, responsible for choosing the chief executive, would increase from 796 members to 1,200. One quarter of the new positions would be directly elected district council members.

   Chief Executive Donald Tsang said his administration was determined to push forward with Hong Kong's democratic development.

   'Constitutional development is an important issue for us all. The key to success lies in listening and seeking common ground,' Tsang said.

   'Sadly, we missed that chance in 2005. We have now come to another critical juncture. We must take the Hong Kong people's aspirations to heart. ... This is a time that we move forward.'

   Earlier Chief Secretary Henry Tang urged legislators and the public to adopt an open attitude to the public consultation, in order to break the stalemate over constitutional development.

   'This is a golden opportunity,' he said. 'With the collective wisdom and determination of the people of Hong Kong, we can bring about real democratic progress to the electoral methods of 2012.'

   Ahead of his announcement, pro-democracy parties protested outside the Legislative Council building, demanding universal suffrage.

   The proposals will be reviewed during a three-month period of public consultation.

   Hong Kong reverted to Chinese sovereignty under a 'one country, two systems' arrangement, guaranteeing political autonomy from mainland China in 1997 after 156 years as a British colony.