Three Central Government officials and about 50 lawmakers met in Shenzhen this morning to exchange views on Hong Kong’s political reform.
Addressing the opening session, both Chief Secretary Carrie Lam and the State Council's Hong Kong & Macau Affairs Office Director Wang Guangya urged lawmakers to approve the reform proposal for the benefit of Hong Kong’s long term interest.
Mrs Lam said even though lawmakers are from different ends of the political spectrum, they are under the same roof in the city and should share a common goal of fostering democratic development in Hong Kong.
Approving the reform package will achieve a win-win situation, she said, while vetoing it will only result in a loss for everyone.
Speaking ahead of the talks, Mr Wang reiterated that the Central Government firmly and sincerely supported Hong Kong in implementing universal suffrage in 2017.
He added that Beijing is willing to engage various parties, including the pan-democrats, in forging consensus based on the Basic Law and the relevant decisions of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee.
Mr Wang said lawmakers have a critical role and great responsibility on the implementation of universal suffrage, urging them to respond to the people’s will, exercise their right correctly and make a decision they would not later regret.
