Press Releases (2501)

SCMA addresses Chinese Executives Club seminar (with photos)

The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam, addressed a seminar organised by the Chinese Executives Club this evening (June 21), and updated the audience on the latest developments in three aspects of his policy portfolio.

The Secretary spoke on the importance for Hong Kong's constitutional development to move forward, the significance of the Framework Agreement on Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation to the development of Hong Kong's services industries, and the enhancement of Hong Kong-Taiwan relations through the establishment of co-operation platforms.

On constitutional development, Mr Lam stressed that in order that Hong Kong's political system could move forward, the HKSAR Government had made its best endeavours to obtain two-thirds majority support in the Legislative Council and widespread support in the community for the 2012 constitutional reform package.

"In this regard, the Executive Council today agreed in principle to accept the proposal on 'one person, two votes', so that in addition to being qualified to vote in the geographical constituencies, Hong Kong's over three million registered voters, who currently cannot vote in functional constituencies, could also vote in the five new District Council functional constituency seats in 2012," he said.

"This arrangement will enhance greatly the democratic elements in Hong Kong's electoral system. It will also increase the chances of the proposals obtaining the two-thirds majority support required for their passage in the Legislative Council,” he added.

On the subject of Hong Kong-Guangdong relations, Mr Lam said that the signing of the Framework Agreement on Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation between the two governments in April this year signified an important milestone in the co-operation between the two places. It would go a long way towards helping Hong Kong develop the Mainland market in accordance with CEPA (the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement) and the relevant Mainland policies.

"Particularly in the area of financial services industry, the Agreement stated specifically the leading position of Hong Kong as the international financial centre of the Pearl River Delta. This means that the SAR will be taking the lead in pushing forward the financial services industry together with the province," he said.

"With the Agreement in place, the Government's role now is to formulate appropriate policies so that our enterprises and professionals will enjoy a wider scope of development on the Mainland," he added.

Mr Lam also talked about the latest developments in the Government's efforts to further enhance Hong Kong-Taiwan relations. He noted that to foster the long-term development of Hong Kong's relations with Taiwan, the HKSAR Government set up the Hong Kong-Taiwan Economic and Cultural Co-operation and Promotion Council (ECCPC) on April 1 this year. The ECCPC's Taiwanese counterpart, the Taiwan-Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Co-operation Council, was set up in end-May.

"With the establishment of the new platforms, Hong Kong can discuss with the Taiwanese side public policy issues of mutual concern, such as financial co-operation, health issues and tourism. From now on, Hong Kong and Taiwanese officials can exchange views in appropriate capacities under this umbrella, so as to further promote high-level exchanges between the two places," he said.

Ends/Monday, June 21, 2010

The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam, addresses a seminar organised by the Chinese Executives Club this evening (June 21). He updates the audience on the latest developments in three aspects of his policy portfolio.

SCMA addresses Chinese Executives Club seminar (1)

SCMA addresses Chinese Executives Club seminar (2)