12 Constitution and Administration
options for electing the Chief Executive and for forming the Legislative Council in 2012 within the framework set out by the NPCSC decision. The task group concluded its discussions in June 2008, and the views collected will provide a basis for the HKSAR Government to prepare the document for the next round of public consultation on the two electoral methods for 2012. The Government will consult the public in the fourth quarter of 2009 on the possible options for amending the two electoral methods for 2012. Our aim is to determine the two electoral methods for 2012 within the tenure of the current-term HKSAR Government, with a view to laying a solid foundation for attaining universal suffrage for the Chief Executive in 2017, and for the Legislative Council in 2020.
Electoral System for the District Councils
Eighteen District Councils were established in the HKSAR to advise the Government on district affairs and to promote recreational and cultural activities, and environmental improvements within the districts. A District Council is composed of elected members, appointed members, and, in the case of District Councils in rural areas, the chairmen of rural committees as ex officio members. The simple majority voting system is adopted for elections. For the third-term councils (2008- 2011), the HKSAR was divided into 405 constituencies, each represented by one. elected member.
Electoral Affairs Commission
The Electoral Affairs Commission, an independent statutory body, is responsible. for ensuring that elections in the HKSAR are conducted openly, honestly, fairly and in accordance with the law. It comprises three politically neutral persons appointed by the Chief Executive and is headed by a High Court judge. The commission is responsible for making recommendations to the Chief Executive on the delineation of geographical constituencies and District Council constituencies, making regulations on practical arrangements for the Chief Executive election, the Legislative Council election, the District Council election and rural elections, and handling complaints relating to these elections. The Registration and Electoral Office, a government department headed by the Chief Electoral Officer, works under the commission's direction and carries out its decisions.
HKSAR's External Affairs
The HKSAR continues to play an active role in the international arena and maintains close contact with its international partners.
In 2008, representatives of the HKSAR Government, as members of the PRC delegation, took part in over 140 international conferences limited to states, including those organised by the World Intellectual Property Organisation, the World Health Organisation and the International Civil Aviation Organisation. The HKSAR also took part in about 760 inter-governmental conferences not limited to states in the capacity of 'Hong Kong, China', including those organised by the World Trade Organisation, Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation and the World Customs Organisation.