Chief Secretary Carrie Lam says the Government has introduced two features in the political reform proposals to make the electoral system for universal suffrage in 2017 more competitive and more democratic.
Explaining the latest consultation report and proposals on the method for selecting the Chief Executive by universal suffrage at a press conference today, she said the proposals suggest that a person recommended by 120 nominating committee members can become a contender.
Mrs Lam said the lower threshold will allow more people to enter the election race.
Giving the 1,200 members of the nominating committee the ability and right to support each person seeking nomination will allow them to consider each candidate.
These two features will make the election process more competitive, she said, adding that if the system and process is more competitive, it implies that people from different political backgrounds should stand a higher chance of being selected or nominated to become a Chief Executive candidate.
Noting the Central Government has repeatedly stated the National People's Congress Standing Committee decision last August will not be reversed, Mrs Lam said the reform package, which is based on the decision framework, will have little room for revision.
The Government will launch a citywide publicity campaign to promote the package, and officials will meet with pan-democratic lawmakers in the next two months to garner their support for the proposal.
"We are now at a historic opportunity in Hong Kong’s constitutional development and I think the Central authorities will be very gratified to see us delivering universal suffrage in the selection of the Chief Executive in 2017," she added.
