Press Releases

     The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam, officiated at the launching ceremony of a carnival to promote the Basic Law this (November 28) afternoon. Following is the transcript of his answers to media questions after the ceremony:

Reporter: (Question on functional constituencies and the definition of universal suffrage.)

Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs: I would say that it is purely speculative that we need to have the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress to interpret on the definition of universal suffrage. We should bear in mind that back in 2007 when the Standing Committee made its decision on the universal suffrage timetable, it was already stated in the decision itself that when we implement universal suffrage for returning the Chief Executive in 2017, all registered voters of Hong Kong would participate in that election. It will be one person, one vote. As for the Legislative Council universal suffrage implementation in 2020, back in 2007, both the HKSAR Government and Central Government officials have already made it clear that universal suffrage implementation for the legislature would need to comply with the principles of universality and equality.

Reporter: Do the functional constituencies comply with the principles of universal suffrage?

Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs: For 2012, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress has already decided that we should maintain a 50:50 ratio between geographical constituencies and functional constituencies. But the Hong Kong Government has proposed that we should consider involving more of our District Councillors, our elected District Councillors, in returning these Legislative Council seats. So that for a composition of 70 seats, almost 60 per cent of the seats for 2012 will be returned by direct or indirect geographical elections. I think we should maintain this momentum of injecting more democratic elements into our electoral systems so that we can continue to make progress in 2012 and 2016, and pave the way for implementing universal suffrage in 2017 and 2020.

Reporter: How about in 2020, is there any chance that the FCs will comply with the principles of universal suffrage?

Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs: In the last few years, we have received various proposals for implementing universal suffrage for the Legislative Council. There are proposals made by various political parties which suggest "one person, one vote", abolition of functional constituencies and to return all members of the legislature through geographical constituencies. There are other suggestions, made by other sectors, of say "one person, two votes" – one vote for geographical constituencies, one vote for functional constituencies. But even under that formulation, over three million registered voters of Hong Kong will have a vote in both geographical and functional constituencies. For 2020, we have not yet made any final decisions. I think it is important for the Hong Kong community to continue to discuss our arrangements for electing the Legislative Councillors for 2012, 2016 and 2020. We must continue to make progress and by 2020, comply with the principles of universality and equality.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript of remarks.)

Ends/Saturday, November 28, 2009

Basic Law Carnival (1)

The Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau organised a Basic Law carnival this (November 28) afternoon at the Victoria Park football pitch. Photo shows the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam, officiating at the kick-off ceremony with three members of the Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee, Mr Ma Fung-kwok, Mr Wong Yuk-tong, Mr Fung Man-wai, and the Basic Law Carnival Ambassador, Ms Kay Tse.

Basic Law Carnival (2)

Photo shows the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam, speaking at the kick-off ceremony of the Basic Law Carnival this (November 28) afternoon. Mr Lam took the opportunity to urge residents to give them views on the "Methods for Selecting the Chief Executive and for Forming the Legislative Council in 2012" consultation document.

Basic Law Carnival (3)

Photo shows members of the public playing in the games enthusiastically at the Basic Law Carnival.

Basic Law Carnival (4)

Photo shows singer G.E.M. performing at the Basic Law Carnival this (November 28) afternoon.

Basic Law Carnival (5)

Photo shows singer Sherman Chung and members of the public playing a game based on the Basic Law theme at the carnival this (November 28) afternoon.

Basic Law Carnival (6)

Photo shows singer Kary Ng conveying to the audience messages about the Basic Law at the carnival this (November 28) afternoon.

Basic Law Carnival (7)

Photo shows popular group Fama playing a game based on the Basic Law theme at the carnival this (November 28) afternoon.

Basic Law Carnival (8)

Photo shows the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam, taking a picture with the performers at the Basic Law Carnival this afternoon (November 28).

Basic Law Carnival (9)

Photo shows the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam, playing games with the members of the public in the Basic Law Carnival this afternoon (November 28).