CY Leung will state his 'determination' to implement universal suffrage to leaders in Beijing
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying says he will state his "determination" to implement universal suffrage to state leaders during his duty visit to Beijing, which starts today.
This afternoon, Leung met Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the National People's Congress, according to sources. But Leung would not confirm the meeting as he left his hotel for the Great Hall of the People at about 3pm. Nor did he brief the media after the one-hour meeting.
Leung will meet Premier Li Keqiang and President Xi Jinping tomorrow, December 26.
Departing from the Hong Kong International Airport this morning with his wife Regina Leung Tong Ching-yee, the Chief Executive told the media that reform for the 2017 chief executive election would be one of the key points in his duty visit report.
"The implementation of universal suffrage must comply with the Basic Law," he said. "The most important thing now is to secure the support [for the government reform proposal] of two-thirds, or even more, of the lawmakers."
He said he would state his determination to push forward reform during the visit. Another focus of his report is measures on improving people's livelihood, he added.
He will conclude his three-day visit on the morning of December 27
In his annual visit this year, Leung is also expected to "find out shortcomings" in his administration as well as to report on the achievements - a requirement laid down last year by Wang Guangya, director of the State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office.
The call for a more candid and detailed report was seen as a move to assert the central government's authority on Hong Kong and to make the annual visit more than a courtesy.