Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said on Monday that the special administrative region's first-ever blueprint for universal suffrage isn't quite finished and citizens must work together to complete it.

"We have a lot of work to do, and we will ask the people of Hong Kong to understand that this is the first time, the first time ever, in the history of Hong Kong that eligible voters will be given, each and every one of them, ... the right to vote in the universal suffrage to elect the leader of this government, and the leader of this city," Leung said at the Legislative Council on Monday.

"It is a precious offer from the National People's Congress Standing Committee. Obviously, we have work to do. I think it is an important and historical moment for Hong Kong."

Leung pledged to strive to win all legislators' support for the framework that the NPC Standing Committee approved on Sunday, stressing the framework was not the end of the reform process, and the final decision on a number of issues, including the number of candidates, had yet to be confirmed. He called on residents to express their views in a lawful manner.

Leung said that the NPC Standing Committee's decision provides a framework on the principles of the election of the Hong Kong chief executive in 2017 and beyond.

Flanked by other senior Hong Kong government officials, including Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam and Financial Secretary John Tsang, Leung said, "The decision wasn't designed to exclude certain members of Hong Kong or certain members of certain factions from running for the chief executive position."

Leung added that it is worthwhile for everyone to support this direction. "After all, it is the first opportunity. It's a very good opportunity for Hong Kong to achieve one-man, one-vote universal suffrage to elect our chief executive. It is something that we should all feel proud of, and it is an opportunity we should all treasure."

He said the government will soon initiate a second consultation on universal suffrage to resolve details not defined by the NPC Standing Committee's ruling.

Meanwhile, Li Ka-shing, chairman of Cheung Kong Group, said Hong Kong should take the initiative to make progress on constitutional development rather than stagnating.

Li had previously told the Federation of Hong Kong Chiu Chow Community Organization's directors: "The progress toward democracy is the foundation to fortify the rule of law in Hong Kong. A spirit of tolerance attuning our differences showcases the strength and capacity of our shared civil society.

tim@chinadailyhk.com

(China Daily USA 09/02/2014 page5)