Hong Kong preps election reform plan
- Source: Global Times
- [01:58 June 24 2010]
- Comments
Ma Ngok, an associate professor of Hong Kong politics with the Chinese University of Hong Kong, told the Global Times that the reform plan is likely to pass.
"The reform proposal marks the first contact between the central government and HK Democratic Party on the political development of Hong Kong since 1989, and it indicates that the central government and HK Democratic Party have gradually established a real platform for discussion," Ma said, hoping the following discussion between the two sides produces a specific timeframe and roadmap for the future universal suffrage in Hong Kong.
In Beijing, Rita Fan, a member of the Standing Committee of the NPC, echoed the idea by saying that frank discussions among the central government, HKSAR Government and the Democratic Party would make it easier to reach a consensus.
James Sung, a political professor with City University of Hong Kong, said he expected that Hong Kong could reduce its internal strife so as to allow the HKSAR government to focus on boosting the local economic development and improve people's livelihood.
"The acceptance of the proposal shows the central government's sincerity in advancing Hong Kong's democratic progress," he added.
He said he hoped that the passing of the proposal would further boost Hong Kong people's confidence in the central government and eventual realization of universal suffrage for the chief executive and members of the legislature in 2017 and 2020.
Song Shengxia contributed to this story
