It is the central government's stance that the progress of democracy in Hong Kong should develop in a gradual and orderly manner.

And proposals for democratization should be referred to the Commission on Strategic Development for discussion, a senior Beijing official said yesterday.

Chen Zou'er, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office under the State Council, said the concept of dual universal suffrage was proposed at meetings of National People's Congress (NPC) when the Basic Law was drafted 16 years ago.

That resulted in 10 years of democratic development after the reunification.

Chen was responding to former Hong Kong chief secretary for administration Anson Chan, who announced on Monday her proposal to elect the Chief Executive and Legislative Council by universal suffrage in 2012 and not later than 2016, respectively.

Given Hong Kong is a pluralistic society, Chen said, it is natural there are different views on constitutional development and it is best for the Commission on Strategic Development to discuss the options.

"I hope all quarters of the society would adopt a responsible attitude to communicate with one another to reach consensus for the long-term, overall interest of Hong Kong."

Peter Wong, a Hong Kong deputy to the NPC, criticized Chan's proposal for putting the cart before the horse "by talking about the timetable prior to the conclusion of the universal suffrage pattern".

"It is wrong to think universal suffrage is tantamount to one-man-one-vote and it is also irresponsible to fix a timetable before the affirmation of the universal suffrage method," he said in Beijing.

NPC deputy Maria Tam said anyone was at liberty to give views on constitutional development in Hong Kong.

However, the proposals must comply with the Basic Law and the principle of gradual and orderly progress.

It is still too early to put forth a set of options, while it is also not advisable to listen to the view of just one side, she said in response to Chan's proposal.