Listen to voice of the people, Leung Chun-ying's allies say

The Executive Council convenor and Beijing-loyalist newspaper Ta Kung Pao have weighed into a debate on the annual July 1 march for democracy, urging the administration to give a more progressive response to demands for political reform.

In an editorial yesterday, Ta Kung Pao said it was "completely possible" for Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying to make an "initial response" to calls for a political overhaul.

The opinion may be a sign of Beijing taking a more pragmatic line to reform in Hong Kong, an organiser of the Occupy Central democracy movement says.

It echoed one in the mainland state-run Global Times on Tuesday - saying the July 1 march had become a "new traditional ritual" - that observers also saw as signalling a shift in Beijing's attitude.

Separately, Exco convenor Lam Woon-kwong said Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Raymond Tam Chi-yuen should engage lawmakers on the issue. "Officials such as Tam could [say], 'Even though we haven't started our consultation yet, we are willing to listen and exchange views'."

Leung has repeatedly said constitutional procedures on reform would be initiated at an appropriate time, but Lam warned: "If this jargon is used frequently, people will start to doubt if you are simply procrastinating."

He also urged legislators to ensure universal suffrage in 2017. "If [they] give up this chance, frankly, all the 70 lawmakers will be sinners, because if we prolong this government deadlock … Hong Kong will continue to lag in competitiveness and the people's misery … will drag on."