Hong Kong unveiled modest measures to reform the southern Chinese territory's electoral system Wednesday, but stopped short of setting a timetable for full democracy.
In the latest of a series of reports on amending the electoral code, deputy leader Rafael Hui spelt out plans to broaden a committee which selects the city's political leader and to enlarge the legislature.
Hui told legislators that the moves go some way to achieving the constitution's requirement that citizens of the former British colony be empowered to elect their political leaders.
"I believe the package of proposals... has struck the right balance amidst the various views submitted by different sectors of the community and has responded to the aspirations of the community on constitutional development," he told legislators. By the next leadership election in 2007, the 800-member Beijing-backed committee of elites tasked with selecting the political leader will be doubled to 1,600, Hui said.
The Legislative Council will see its membership increase from 60 to 70, with the addition of five directly elected seats and five more selected from District Councils, the lowest level of government here.
The proposal is seen as one of the biggest tests of new leader Donald Tsang's ability to handle the big local issues while placating Beijing.
The reform package was offered partly in response to the Basic Law mini-constitution's provision for the eventual adoption of universal suffrage. But it was hastened by a clamour for more democracy which has grown since the former British colony reverted to Chinese rule in 1997.
Analysts said the proposals were aimed at easing public frustration after Beijing ruled out direct elections by 2007, a move interpreted as interference and which prompted half a million people to take to the streets in protest.
Chinese authorities have strongly resisted repeated demands for a swift transition, fearing sudden reform might destabilise the wealthy entrepot, a crucial channel of investment that fuels China's economic growth. Instead, they have prescribed a process of gradual reform.
Hui, in his first major policy move since being made chief secretary last month, said the clash of opinions meant he was unable to set a timetable for universal suffrage.
"It is clear that the issue remains divisive in the community and it will be quite difficult to reach consensus in the near future," he said. "To attain universal suffrage, we must first create favourable conditions.
"Only when the conditions are ripe and the supporting measures ready, and the community has reached a high degree of consensus on the pace of introducing universal suffrage, will a timetable for introducing universal suffrage be meaningful," he added.
Tsang said he recognised the public's wish for universal suffrage and insisted the government was moving towards the goal.
"These proposals will lead us to the ultimate goal of universal suffrage. I hope everyone will give their full support," he said.
But democrats were not convinced. Some 24 pro-democracy legislators gave a press conference in which they opposed the amendments and called for the public to join a protest in December.
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