HONG KONG: Two years ago, we secured the timetable for implementing universal suffrage, namely, 2017 for the selection of the Chief Executive (CE) and 2020 for the formation of the Legislative Council (LegCo). The timetable is definite and clear. The task before us now is to make the electoral arrangements for 2012 more democratic, paving the way for universal suffrage.

Thus, two weeks ago, the government released the Consultation Document on Methods for Selecting the Chief Executive and for Forming the Legislative Council in 2012 to canvass the community's views.

Directions that may be considered put forward by the government include increasing the number of Election Committee members from 800 to not more than 1,200. For the new seats to be allocated to the fourth sector, most of them may be allocated to District Council (DC) members, elected from among elected DC members. As for the LegCo, the direction that may be considered is to add five new seats for both the geographical constituencies and functional constituencies (FC), with all the five new FC seats returned through election among elected DC members. These arrangements will be able to enhance democratic elements and representativeness of the two electoral methods.

The government keeps an open mind on the directions that may be considered put forward in the consultation document. We will listen carefully to the views of different sectors of the community and discuss the issues with the LegCo members and different sectors sincerely. Constitutional development of Hong Kong has come to a critical juncture. We earnestly hope that all stakeholders can adopt a practical and rational approach in discussing the matter in order to attain the ultimate aim of universal suffrage.

To this end, we need to adopt a rational, practical and accommodating attitude, and engage in dialogue instead of confrontation. We have to bear in mind the overall interest of Hong Kong and harness our collective intelligence to seek common ground.

If we allow another stalemate in our constitutional development, the community, the LegCo and the government will all become losers. On the contrary, if the two electoral methods for 2012 are further democratized, it will be conducive to the political and overall development of Hong Kong. It is time for us to consider carefully whether allowing a stalemate in our political development will help Hong Kong attain universal suffrage or making the two electoral methods more democratic can help advance our constitutional development, and make the choice that is most advantageous for Hong Kong.

Let us treasure and capitalize on the opportunity before us and work together to inject new and enhanced democratic elements into the two electoral methods for 2012, so as to take Hong Kong's constitutional development forward and avoid another standstill, and to pave the way for universal suffrage.

The author is Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs

(HK Edition 12/01/2009 page1)