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Tung appeals to China on constitutional development

By P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE, APRIL 15. The Hong Kong Government today proposed that China's Central Government should set the pace for "constitutional development'' in the territory. This follows the recent `interpretation' by the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress (Parliament) that the Central Government in Beijing would have the final say over any proposal for amendment that might emanate from Hong Kong regarding the selection of its Chief Executive.

Hong Kong, a former British colony over which China regained sovereignty over six years ago, is a special administrative region that is governed under the Basic Law.

With 2007 marking the completion of the first decade of China's administrative control over Hong Kong, the current political debate in the territory centres on the proposals for changes regarding the selection of the territory's Chief Executive and the formation of its Legislative Council. Hong Kong's Chief Executive, Tung Chee-hwa, today made his recommendations, which were formally submitted to the NPC Standing Committee in Beijing by the territory's Constitutional Affairs Secretary, Stephen Lam.

Mr. Tung's report suggests nine "key factors'' that should be considered in determining any political amendments on the territory's future. The more important recommendations centre on the theme that "the development towards the ultimate aim of universal suffrage (in Hong Kong) must progress in a gradual and orderly manner and (in a) not too fast (fashion)''.

"No proposed amendments can affect the Central Authorities' (Beijing's) substantive power of appointment of the Chief Executive (in Hong Kong),'' Mr. Tung's report said.

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