Major political groups in the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region (HKSAR) welcomed the top legislature's decision to allow
universal suffrage during the 2017 vote for the region's fifth
chief executive.
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC)
made the decision on Saturday after considering a report on Hong
Kong's constitutional development submitted by the HKSAR chief
executive as well as the situation in Hong Kong itself, Tam
Yiu-chung, chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment
and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), the largest political group in
Hong Kong, said.
"Therefore, the DAB supports the decision," he said.
He called on the public to work together to make universal
suffrage a reality in Hong Kong.
The NPC Standing Committee also said the HKSAR Legislative
Council could one day be decided by universal suffrage.
"The clarification of a universal suffrage timetable by the NPC
Standing Committee puts Hong Kong's constitutional development on a
stable path and also accords with the aspirations of Hong Kong
society," Tian Pei-chun, chairman of the Liberal Party, said.
"With the clear timetable, all political groups should take
advantage of the time left to make solid preparations and join
efforts with different sectors to push for the realization of
universal suffrage," he said.
Cheng Yiu-tong, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade
Unions said the decision was a sincere response to the wishes of
Hong Kong people and balances the interests of all sides
concerned.
"It is pragmatic and conducive to the long-term development of
Hong Kong. It is a milestone in Hong Kong's constitutional
development," he said.
(Xinhua News Agency January 3, 2008)