He said that the NPC Standing Committee believes that the report comprehensively reflected opinions and appeals on the constitutional development from Hong Kong society. The report is positive, responsible and pragmatic.
Qiao said most of the opinions from the panel discussions hold that the issue of constitutional development has become a major issue which concerns the Hong Kong society and has also raised some disputes.
To re-orientate the focus of Hong Kong society back to the economic growth, and the improvement of people's living conditions, it is both necessary and feasible and with adequate legal basis to make such a decision on HKSAR's constitutional development, he said.
Qiao said that the decision will make it clear that appropriate amendments may be made to the specific method for selecting the fourth HKSAR Chief Executive and forming the fifth term HKSAR Legislative Council in the year 2012. It also sets a timetable for universal suffrage for the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and for all the members of the Legislative Council of HKSAR.
According to the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, appropriate amendments may be made to the specific method for selecting the fourth HKSAR Chief Executive and the specific method for forming the fifth term HKSAR Legislative Council in the year 2012. The election of the fifth HKSAR Chief Executive in the year 2017 may be implemented by the method of universal suffrage, said Qiao.
After the Chief Executive is selected by universal suffrage, the election of the HKSAR Legislative Council may be implemented by the method of electing all the members by universal suffrage, he said.