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Transcript of Constitutional Development Task Force's press conference
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Following is the transcript (English portion) of the Question and Answer session of a press conference given by the Constitutional Development Task Force, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Donald Tsang, on the Fourth Report of the Constitutional Development Task Force today (December 15):
Reporter: Polling shows consistently between two thirds and three-quarters of the Hong Kong public want universal suffrage as soon as possible. This suggests there is already a consensus in the community on this matter and that most of the objections come from a small minority of people. A very small minority of people are against universal suffrage. Most of those people
who are publicly known are seen as proxies for the Central People's Government. What is the point of this exercise given that it is pretty much a public consensus...the issue of democracy. The Government simply can't take it because it goes against what Beijing wants. Is it more a question of what Beijing wants and what is the point of continuing with this large-scale
exercise which is going to result in a result that most Hong Kong people are going to find less than satisfactory.
CS: Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China and any constitutional development changes must require the tripartite agreement which has been enshrined in the Basic Law from day one. So if one of the three parties, in this case the National People's Congress Standing Committee have very clearly indicated that for the elections in 2007, 2008 universal suffrage
elections will not be acceptable. I am sure, even within that framework, there are lots of changes we can make to move towards universal suffrage as a final aim and we are really working on that. I am sure Hong Kong people are pragmatic and able to come to some consensus to ensure that the process of democratisation, opening up of government will continue under this
procedure.
Reporter: Isn't it a question of what Beijing can accept than what Hong Kong people want. Why bother with this elaborate exercise?
CS: I have said already there are lots of areas in which we are able to change and we have outlined these areas that we are capable of changing in Report Number Three. And we have also outlined how people have reacted to it in very detail in Report Number Four. And I am sure there is room for discussion. I believe it is at this stage at least it is not very meaningful to
hark back on the matters on which the National People's Congress have flatly said no. So what I believe we are doing is a pragmatic way of doing it. I am trying to find a consensus among the three parties concerned underpinned of course by public opinion in Hong Kong.
Reporter: My question goes to the statement you just made that you are looking for a solution underpinned by public opinion. At the end of the day you will put forward something that you will assert represents a mainstream view. To be credible that will have to be demonstrated, so will Hong Kong people have any opportunity to express directly their view whether they find
it acceptable or unacceptable. If not, why not and what alternatives do you have?
CS: In the coming few months we will be consulting the public widely. Not only will we be using the various forums that we deployed in the consultation on Report Number Three but we will be doing other things as well. We have in mind as a task force to conduct an open forum inviting all members of the community to participate. The exact details have yet to be worked out.
In other words everyone will have a chance to express his or her view. In addition to face-to-face expression of views there are many other ways using faxes, mails, using our website and even telephoning us. I can promise any members of the public that we will listen to their views carefully and take them into account.
Reporter: Are you talking about a single forum or a series of forums?
CS: We are walking on a series of forums. There are some with larger groups, some with smaller groups and some with open forums as well.
SCA: We have it in mind to visit District Councils so that in the 18 districts' representatives of the people and district councillors will have the opportunity to put forth their views to us directly.
Reporter: That's indirect isn't it because it's the representatives, not the people.
SCA: I'm saying the district councillors.
CS: We are going to have open forums so members of the public can come forward as well.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion.)
Ends/Wednesday, December 15, 2004
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