HK hits back on US claims over universal suffrage
The government hit back at a US State Department report on human rights conditions in Hong Kong. A spokesman for the Constitutional Affairs Bureau said the report's claim that 'the secretary for constitutional affairs proposed that a 1,600-strong nominating committee could be set up to vet future chief executive candidates to ensure they were acceptable to Beijing' was groundless. He said the government had not made any proposals on specific models for implementing universal suffrage, and possible models were still being discussed.
CPPCC delegates to get office in Hong Kong
Delegates to the mainland's top advisory body will have an office in Hong Kong by early next year to expand the network in the city and strengthen ties with overseas organisations and ambassadors. Chan Wing-kee, a member of the standing committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said a venue was being sought and hoped the office could be established by end of this year.
41 HK firms at Canton Fair
Forty-one Hong Kong companies will take part in next month's Canton Fair in Guangzhou, which for the first time in its 50-year history is open to foreign exhibitors. They will occupy one-fifth of the space allocated for international exhibitors.
