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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Raymond Tam, at a media session after attending a forum on the "Consultation Document on the Methods for Selecting the Chief Executive in 2017 and for Forming the Legislative Council in 2016" this afternoon (December 11):
Reporter: ... Elsie Leung's remarks today that Hong Kong people shouldn't be seeking too much change as long as having universal suffrage?
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs: I think at this stage the Government would not comment on individual views or suggestions. You may notice that some in the community would raise proposals that are considered by many as too conservative. Or some may put forward proposals that to some sectors would be considered as too liberal. I think this is a very healthy sign because we have a common goal of achieving universal suffrage in 2017. The question now is not whether we should achieve that but how we should achieve that. I think each member of the community would be entitled to their own views. Actually that is the whole purpose of our public consultation at the moment. We welcome all kinds of proposals, but, as I said, we would not offer any specific comment as yet.
Reporter: Do you think it is appropriate for Elsie Leung as a Basic Law Committee member to tell people not to seek too many changes at this stage during the consultation?
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs: I think at this stage anyone is entitled to their own view regardless of their background. The only constraint that I can see to offer such specific comments is that from the Government itself. So I would say that we should maintain an open mind and an open attitude. Whoever in the society that are concerned with 2017 should come forward with their specific comments, so I would actually encourage everyone to express their view.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Wednesday, December 11, 2013
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