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RESOURCE CENTER

Press Release

Hong Kong Constitutional Development: A Perspective From Business Community

2004.05.03

The recent discussion on HKSAR’s constitutional development has been a topical issue of public interest here and overseas. As a member of the business community, Better Hong Kong Foundation (The Foundation) would have to share views from our own perspective.

On Monday, April 26, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) made a decision to allow the specific methods for selecting the Chief Executive in 2007 and forming the Legislative Council in 2008 be appropriately modified, but not to introduce the universal suffrage in both elections after a careful study and thorough discussion of a report submitted by the Chief Executive Mr. Tung Chee Hwa. The Foundation, along with local business coomunity, see NPCSC’s decision as timely and appropriate, given it has set clearly out on the scope for amendments on the electoral methods of 2007/08. The Foundation thinks our community can now put through the discussion of the constitutional development in a pragmatic manner. Most of the local and overseas groups that the Foundation has been in contact with now have a better understanding of the rationale for the decision made by the NPCSC. We agree that any major change to the existing system should take into consideration of opinions and suggestions of various sectors in order to maintain the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

The Foundation also believes the constitutional development in Hong Kong has been proceeding gradually and orderly on the path laid down by the Basic Law since the reunification six and half years ago. As an international city, any political development must in line with Hong Kong’s economic status, and consistent with the actual situation in Hong Kong.

Mr. Qiao Xiaoyang, Deputy Secretary-General of NPCSC, listed six reasons to further explain that the situation in Hong Kong did not warrant universal suffrage: (1) many Hong Kong people still have an inadequate understanding of ‘one country, two systems’ and the Basic Law. The concept of ‘one country’, national identity, the legal status of Hong Kong and meaning of universal suffrage are not so clear to the general public; (2) the Basic Law’s status as the constitutional law of Hong Kong has not just been established and has not been adequately understood; (3) the political system in Hong Kong must cater to the interests of every social class, group and sector, with balanced participation by each group; (4) Hong Kong’s economy is in a period of recovery and cannot withstand any shocks; (5) as the executive authorities and the legislature are still in a period of running in, the executive-led system is still far from a full implementation; and (6) there are varied views in Hong Kong regarding the implementation of universal suffrage in 2007/08.

The Foundation regards those six factors reflected the Central People’s Government (CPG)’s full understanding of Hong Kong’s actual situation. The Foundation also agrees those factors should be fully observed and addressed before any introduction of the universal suffrage. Moreover, the constitutional development should carefully be considered to safeguard Hong Kong’s economic competitiveness and effectiveness.

The Foundation agrees that Hong Kong should put through its constitutional development in a gradual and orderly manner as stipulated by the Basic Law, with an ultimate aim of selecting the Chief Executive and electing the Legislative Councillors by the universal suffrage. However, during the process of achieving such a goal, the interest of every social class, group and sector must evenly be represented. The Foundation also believes the principle of representative participation should be upheld in the existing electoral system in order to ensure that participation of various sectors through different channels. Under such a comprehensive and thoroughly-designed arrangement, the participation of industrial and business sector as well as the middle class can thus be guaranteed and protected by the institution concerned.

Actually, Qiao’s six factors are expressing the similar thinking as those nine principles contained in the Chief Executive’s report. The Foundation believes as the NPCSC already decided the electoral arrangements of 2007/08, and allowed certain degree of modification; our community should therefore uphold a pragmatic spirit and adopt a rational attitude to come up with different proposals within the framework of the Basic Law. Having experienced a series of economic downturns and adversities in the last six and half years, our community should work together for a more stable and prosperous Hong Kong, our Asia’s World City. Clearly all constitutional developments must be geared up in maintaining the social harmony in the community.

For enquiries, please contact Ms. Elsie Leung, Communications Manager, The Better Hong Kong Foundation at (852) 2861-2622 or by fax at (852) 2861-3361.

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The Better Hong Kong Foundation is a privately funded, non-profit, non-political organization, formed by leading Hong Kong business people to reinforce Hong Kong’s role as the leading regional, financial, shipping, trading, communication and technology center. The Foundation also serves to enhance greater international understanding between East and West by facilitating communications between Hong Kong, China and the international community.