Constitutional Development

23. As stipulated in the Basic Law, our constitutional development should be taken forward in a gradual and orderly manner towards the ultimate objective of universal suffrage in the light of the actual situation in Hong Kong. For more than a year, the Constitutional Development Task Force has been actively seeking the views of different sectors and maintaining communication with the relevant departments of the Central Authorities on how to amend the methods for selecting the Chief Executive in 2007 and for forming the Legislative Council in 2008. The Task Force’s Fifth Report, to be published later, will contain a package of proposals on how to amend the two methods. In drawing up the package, the Task Force has been guided by a number of principles. The proposals must comply with the Basic Law and the Interpretation and Decision made by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress in April 2004; give the public more say and more channels to participate in the Chief Executive and Legislative Council elections, in order to achieve enhanced representativeness of the two elections; and abide by the principle of gradual and orderly progress towards the ultimate goal of universal suffrage.

24. I firmly believe that the proposed methods will mark a key milestone in the development of democracy in Hong Kong. I sincerely hope they will receive support from this Council and the community at large. I also sincerely hope that in the overall and long-term interests of Hong Kong, Honourable Members of this Council will, in debating the proposed methods, strive to seek common ground while accommodating differences and reach a consensus, so that Hong Kong’s constitutional development can move forward.

25. While moving forward steadily and purposefully with constitutional development, we must continue to improve on our administrative system. The Accountability System for Principal Officials has been in place for more than three years. It has proved to be more responsive to public needs and aspirations as well as a necessary reform in the path of constitutional development towards universal suffrage in Hong Kong. Generally, the community has accepted the Accountability System and looks forward to further consolidation and improvement. The most pressing need at the moment is to strengthen support for the Principal Officials to undertake growing political work related to formulation and implementation of policies, actively reach out to various social sectors and seek wider and more solid public support for the Government. Consequently, we will consider creating within our executive agencies a small number of positions dedicated to political affairs. Their main duty will be to support the Chief Executive and the Principal Officials in their political work. This will provide a new channel for people with political aspirations to join the Government to realise their ambitions. It will also allow civil servants aspiring to a political career to leave the civil service to take part in politics. I must reiterate here that the creation of this political cadre should never undermine the politically neutral civil service in any way. The civil service remains the backbone of the SAR Government, and of effective governance. It is clean, efficient and accountable with outstanding professionalism and prestige. We must safeguard the integrity and interests of the civil service system. In working out the plans for this new political cadre, we shall enhance communication and consultation with the civil service. I am well aware that some members of the public and civil service are wary of the proposed creation of these political posts. I propose to release a consultation document in the first half of 2006 to canvass views from a broad spectrum of society, including civil servants, with a view to receiving popular support for the final arrangements.