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The Governor's constitutional reforms set out in his policy address to LegCo were designed to help secure Hong Kong's way of life on the basis of the Joint
Declaration. Some changes have already been implemented and are working well. I know that the Governor's proposals on the next round of elections in Hong Kong
That is a have sparked off a lively debate in Hong Kong. good thing. There are some important issues at stake for Hong Kong's future. The Governor, with the strong support of the Prime Minister and myself, gave the people of Hong Kong his best judgement of how to meet the wish for a broadening of democracy in a way which was consistent with the Joint Declaration, and the Basic Law. Both of these texts were very much in the Governor's mind as he worked with Hong Kong's community and political leaders during last summer to develop his proposals. The significant level of public support for these proposals suggests that the Governor got the balance about right.
Since the Governor set out his proposals, there has been criticism from some who think he has gone too far and from others who think he has not gone far enough. Alternative suggestions are now emerging and being debated by the community, and political groups in and outside of LegCo. I hope that those who have specific ideas to offer will put them forward. They can then be considered alongside all the other suggestions.
The Governor will be putting forward his legislative proposals after Chinese New Year.
But it is right that
LegCo should have the responsibility to weigh up views in the community and decide where the balance lies.
respect the Council's judgement.
We will
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