Press Releases

     In response to media enquiries on the statement issued earlier by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, a spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (October 8) gave the following response:

     "It is the common aspiration of the Central People's Government, the Government of the HKSAR and the people of Hong Kong to implement successfully and in accordance with the law universal suffrage for the Chief Executive (CE) election in 2017, as provided for in the Basic Law of the HKSAR and the relevant Interpretation and Decisions of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC). On August 31, 2014, the NPCSC adopted the Decision confirming that universal suffrage for the CE election through 'one person, one vote' could be implemented starting from 2017. The HKSAR Government will launch public consultation at an appropriate juncture to seek the community's views on the specific method for selecting the CE by universal suffrage.

     "The Government of the HKSAR reiterates that constitutional development in Hong Kong in accordance with the Basic Law is an internal affair of the HKSAR. We hope that foreign governments and legislatures will respect this principle.

     "The right to freedom of expression, peaceful public processions and assembly are enshrined in the Basic Law of the HKSAR as well as the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance. The Hong Kong Police Force endeavours to strike a balance between facilitating lawful processions and peaceful assembly and containing possible impacts of such public activities on the community, whilst ensuring public order and safety throughout. The Hong Kong Police Force will continue to handle all public order events in a fair and impartial manner, and in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong."

Ends/Wednesday, October 8, 2014