Hong Kong unveils democracy blueprint
Thursday, 19 November 2009
HONG KONG, Nov 18 (Reuters): Hong Kong on Wednesday announced a political reform blueprint for electoral arrangements in 2012 that will have a key bearing on the city's struggle to realize direct elections in 2017.
The former British colony, which reverted to Chinese rule in 1997, has grappled with Beijing's Communist Party leaders for more than a decade over a roadmap toward achieving universal suffrage, as guaranteed in the city's mini-constitution.
Chief Secretary Henry Tang, who announced the proposed blueprint to lawmakers in the city's historic domed legislature, said further democratizing Hong Kong's electoral system in 2012 was a "crucial step," but not a precondition, to realizing direct elections in 2017.
But Hong Kong's pro-democracy opposition lawmakers reacted with disappointment and skepticism, urging Beijing to allow direct elections in 2012, the next possible window.
Government officials instead stressed Beijing would abide by a "solemn and binding" decision in 2007 to allow full democracy for the chief executive in 2017 and the "entire" legislature in 2020.
But when pressed on the shape of such polls, amid fears they would be tailored to preserve Beijing's grip over the city's political landscape, they were more circumspect.
The former British colony, which reverted to Chinese rule in 1997, has grappled with Beijing's Communist Party leaders for more than a decade over a roadmap toward achieving universal suffrage, as guaranteed in the city's mini-constitution.
Chief Secretary Henry Tang, who announced the proposed blueprint to lawmakers in the city's historic domed legislature, said further democratizing Hong Kong's electoral system in 2012 was a "crucial step," but not a precondition, to realizing direct elections in 2017.
But Hong Kong's pro-democracy opposition lawmakers reacted with disappointment and skepticism, urging Beijing to allow direct elections in 2012, the next possible window.
Government officials instead stressed Beijing would abide by a "solemn and binding" decision in 2007 to allow full democracy for the chief executive in 2017 and the "entire" legislature in 2020.
But when pressed on the shape of such polls, amid fears they would be tailored to preserve Beijing's grip over the city's political landscape, they were more circumspect.