HK reveals plan for 2017 leader election

The Hong Kong government on Wednesday revealed a detailed plan for the 2017 election of the Special Administrative Region (SAR)'s next leader by universal suffrage, drawing support from the central government and a majority of residents.

Candidates for the next HKSAR chief executive will be picked by a 1,200-member nominating committee from four social sectors consisting of 38 sub-sectors, which is similar to the election committee for the current chief executive in 2012, said Carrie Lam, chief secretary for administration of HKSAR, who delivered the plan to lawmakers at the SAR's Legislative Council (LegCo).

Lam described the first ever universal suffrage in Hong Kong history as "not only a great leap forward for Hong Kong's constitutional development, but also a historic moment for our country."

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said on Wednesday that it is an "important milestone for Hong Kong's democratic development" and he hopes Hong Kong society, including LegCo members, could support the plan.

The State Council Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office said in a statement later that the constitutional reform package is "legal, feasible, rational and practical."

The plan not only conforms to the Basic Law and the decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), but also suits the region's reality and takes account of the interests of all walks of Hong Kong society, the statement said.

The central government consistently supports efforts to advance democratic development in Hong Kong in a progressive manner and in accordance with the Basic Law and the decision of the NPC Standing Committee, it said.

"Constitutional development in Hong Kong has entered a crucial stage and we sincerely hope that all parties in the region can build consensus and grasp the historic opportunity to realize the goal for a universal suffrage election in 2017," the statement said.

Detailed process leading to universal suffrage

In general, nominating procedures prior to a public vote should be divided into two stages, namely the "members recommendation" stage and the "committee nomination" stage.

Firstly, a potential candidate may be recommended by at least 120 and at most 240 members of the nominating committee, and each nominating committee member may only recommend one person. Therefore, there may be five to 10 possible candidates.

Secondly, the nominating committee should finally select two to three chief executive candidates through a secret ballot vote. Each nominating committee member may vote for at least two people. Those who win the most endorsements as well as a simple majority will become official candidates.

Then, all five million eligible Hong Kong voters may elect the chief executive from the official candidates through a "one person, one vote" election using a first-past-the-post system.

The proposed universal suffrage package must be endorsed by at least two-thirds of all LegCo members before Chief Executive Leung gives his consent and the top legislature gives final approval.

"Today, the government sincerely puts forth specific proposals that have been formulated on the basis of public aspirations as well as the overall and long-term interests of the Hong Kong community," Lam said.

Whether Hong Kong's constitutional development can move forward or suffers a standstill is now in the hands of every LegCo member, Lam said, calling on all LegCo members to examine the proposed package as soon as possible by using their constitutional power.

"This is a call made on you by this era and it is history which places this responsibility on your shoulders," Lam said, adding she hopes that the lawmakers can complete the voting procedures before LegCo's recess this summer.

Support toward universal suffrage

During the announcement of the constitutional reform package details, more than 1,000 Hong Kong residents gathered in front of the LegCo complex, holding banners and shouting slogans to show their support.

"Of course (we) should support universal suffrage. With the right to vote, we can choose the chief executive we like," said a 68-year-old retired civil servant with the surname Chan.

Maria Tam Wai-chu, a member of the NPC Standing Committee Basic Law Committee from Hong Kong, said society should accept the reform package.

If the plan is not adopted, Hong Kong's next chief executive could be elected by a 1,200-member election committee, which is not what most people want, Tam said.

According to Lam, the SAR government received more than 130,000 written submissions from different organizations and individuals during a two-month public consultation that ended in March.

A number of public opinion polls conducted by various organizations in Hong Kong this month showed that around 60 percent of Hong Kong citizens agreed to realize universal suffrage based on the Basic Law and the top legislature's Aug. 31 decision.

However, a handful of HKSAR legislators are threatening to veto the plan, which will be put for a vote at the LegCo in June.

Cheung Chi-kong, executive director of the Hong Kong-based One Country Two Systems Research Institute, said that Hong Kong will miss a valuable opportunity if the plan fails due to a "political soap opera".

Qiang Shigong, executive director of the Hong Kong and Macao Studies Center under Peking University, said the reform plan has given proper consideration to public opinion and the region's democratic needs under the rule of law framework.

If the plan fails to pass at the LegCo, democratic development in Hong Kong will be held back, and that will also pose challenges for the region's economic and social development, Qiang said.

Zhang Dinghuai, a professor at the Center for Basic Laws of Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions under Shenzhen University, called on people and parties concerned to carefully weigh public opinion and Hong Kong's long-term welfare to make the right decision, as confrontation will harm the region's development.

"Those who vowed to reject the plan are turning a deaf ear to the mainstream public voice. Instead of promoting democracy, they are practically jeopardizing the region's historic opportunity for democratic progress," Zhang said.

According to Lam, if Hong Kong can realize universal suffrage in the 2017 election, the next chief executive and the SAR government will have the political mandate required to further promote constitutional development, including the goal of electing all LegCo members by universal suffrage.