Chief Secretary Rafael Hui Si-yan yesterday said the Legislative Council's rejection of the government's reform package had not only impeded democratic progress but also killed opportunities for aspiring political talent.
'It was ... a huge disappointment that our progressive democratisation proposals did not secure the necessary two-thirds support by our legislature,' he said.
Mr Hui was speaking at the joint South China Morning Post and Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management conference entitled 'Human Capital in Greater China - Managing the New Wave'. The conference for senior human resources professionals was held at the Island Shangri-La.
Mr Hui said the proposal would have enabled parties across the political spectrum to compete for 10 extra Legco seats.
'This would have meant a lot to budding politicians, who would have had a greater chance of realising their aspirations,' he said. 'Very regrettably, the reality now is that the electoral arrangements in 2007 and 2008 will have to be the status quo.'
Mr Hui said the government was firmly committed to providing an environment to enable the growth and development of political parties, and to 'creating new room for publicly spirited individuals to participate in public affairs'.
