The movement towards full democracy would be hindered by principles set down in the chief executive's report to Beijing over constitutional reform, the head of the Catholic Church in Hong Kong said yesterday.
Bishop Joseph Zen Ze-kiun made the comment as a former top colonial official repeated his call for calm in the democratic reform process, saying the political system should not be used for conducting experiments.
Speaking after a church forum on the religious situation on the mainland, Bishop Zen said Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa's report to Beijing last week - which set out nine principles to guide electoral reform - would affect democratic development.
'It is obvious that these ... elements [will limit] the future discussions [on reform],' Bishop Zen said.
'I don't think that they should attach these conditions now. The report is supposed to tell the central government that there is a need for change ... but these [principles] limit the discussion on how we can change.'
Mr Tung's report recommended changes in the electoral methods for the 2007 chief executive and 2008 Legislative Council elections. But it set out principles saying the system should not be changed too quickly, and that any changes should preserve balanced participation in politics by various elements of society.
