Report cites need for reform to ensure freedom
The British government yesterday released a strongly worded report saying that Hong Kong had made no visible progress on constitutional reform.
In its latest six-monthly report on Hong Kong it said universal suffrage would be the only way to provide a mandate for strong governance. The warning follows an increase in political temperature over constitutional reform fuelled by retired chief secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang and former governor Lord Patten.
In the report, the 19th in a series on the implementation of 'the Sino-British Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong', Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett told Parliament that Britain's commitment to democratisation in its former colony remained as strong as ever.
'We believe that Hong Kong should advance to a system of universal suffrage, as envisaged in the Basic Law, as soon as possible,' she said. 'We shall continue to watch this crucial issue for Hong Kong's long-term development very carefully, and urge the parties to work together and progress towards this commonly agreed objective.'
The 14-page report noted that Hong Kong's government had made 'little or no visible progress' on constitutional reform during its reporting period, covering January to June.
Hong Kong, the report says, would need a truly democratic system of government for its freedom to endure and be protected.