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Direct poll in 2017: Tsang

— Photo: AFP

A demonstration seeking democracy in Hong Kong on Saturday.

HONG KONG: Donald Tsang, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said here on Saturday he and the HKSAR government welcomed the decision of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People’s Congress ( NPC) on the HKSAR’s constitutional development.

“The timetable for attaining universal suffrage has been set. Hong Kong is entering a most important chapter in its constitutional history,” said Mr. Tsang at a press conference.

Earlier on Saturday, the NPC Standing Committee decided in Beijing that the election of the fifth Chief Executive in 2017 may be implemented through universal suffrage.

The decision also notes that the election of the Legislative Council may be implemented by the method of electing all the members through universal suffrage.

“In coming to its decision, the NPC Standing Committee demonstrated clearly that the Central Government had attached great importance to the wishes of Hong Kong people,” he said.

“We should all cherish this opportunity and forge a consensus together in a rational, pragmatic and inclusive manner,” he noted.

Universal suffrage has been a contentious issue among different political camps in Hong Kong since the 1980s, with diverse views among political parties and within the community.

“I urge everyone, with utmost sincerity, to bring an end to such unnecessary contention, and to move towards reconciliation and consensus,” he said.

“The Standing Committee has taken the most important step for implementing universal suffrage. Now, it is up to the people of Hong Kong to take matters forward,” he said. — Xinhua

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