Apr 26, 2004: National People's Congress Standing Committee rules out universal suffrage in 2007 and 2008
Oct 19, 2004: Fifth constitutional reform report is released. 'The government has left no stone unturned in formulating a package that embodies democracy and openness,' says then chief executive Tung Chee-hwa
Oct 23-Nov 8, 2005: Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen stages a roadshow in the US and Europe to promote the electoral reform package: 'Personally, I support universal suffrage for Hong Kong as early as possible. But the development of our political system is not up to me alone,' he says
Nov 2, 2005: Catholic church leader Bishop Joseph Zen Ze-kiun attacks the electoral package as meaningless. He later urges people to march against the reform. 'Where do we go from here? We need a timetable of when the final goal can be reached,' he says
Nov 22: Tycoon Sir Gordon Wu Ying-sheung warns against fighting for universal suffrage through mass protest: 'If you achieve it through marching, it is mob politics, not the rule of law'
Nov 30: Mr Tsang takes the rare step of promoting the reforms in a televised address. 'If the package were unfortunately voted down by Legco, then constitutional development for 2007 and 2008 would come to a halt,' he says. 'If we choose to mark time rather than stride ahead we will be further away from our goal of universal suffrage, not closer to it'
