39 sign petition against intransigence on reform

Former University of Hong Kong vice-chancellor Professor Tsui Lap-chee and ex-financial secretary Antony Leung Kam-chung were among the standout names among 39 moderates from both sides of the political divide who signed a petition calling for consensus on political reform.

The signatories warn that "confrontational sentiments and behaviour have escalated to worrying levels" amid a debate over the 2017 chief executive election. They say the situation can only get worse if efforts to introduce universal suffrage fail.

"Intransigency stymies negotiation, polarises society and bring chaos," said Andrew Fung Ho-keung, coordinator of the petition drive and chief executive of the Policy Research Institute. He urged all parties to negotiate and consider all "practicable" plans for reform.

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress is widely expected to give Hong Kong the green light for reform this month, while setting a framework for a second round of public consultation later this year. But the vexed question of how candidates will be nominated has cast doubt on whether a reform plan will win the required two-thirds majority in the legislature.

Fung stressed that the group was not advocating any particular reform model, nor pointing the finger at supporters or opponents of Occupy Central's plans for civil disobedience.

Other prominent signatories include Legislative Council president Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, Federation of Trade Unions lawmaker Chan Yuen-han and NPC delegate Priscilla Lau Pui-king. Chan said she hoped all parties would work to create an atmosphere conducive to dialogue.