Xi Jinping urges Hongkongers to show pragmatism on political reform
President calls for consensus on 2017 election, backs work of Leung Chun-ying and his team; CY says he's confident of progress on reform
President Xi Jinping yesterday urged Hongkongers to show pragmatism and foster consensus on arrangements to elect their chief executive by universal suffrage in 2017.
On the penultimate day of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's visit to Beijing, Xi told Leung that he and his administration had been "seeking change while maintaining stability, and putting the people first".
"The central government affirms your and the SAR government's work," he said.
Xi was accompanied by National People's Congress chairman Zhang Dejiang , Vice-president and Politburo member Li Yuanchao , and Wang Guangya , head of the State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office. The president devoted the second half of his opening remarks to political reform. He said debate must stay within the legal framework.
"The central government's stance is consistent and clear," Xi said. "I hope all Hongkongers will start a pragmatic discussion based on the stipulations of the Basic Law and the decision made by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress to forge consensus."
The standing committee ruled in 2007 there could be universal suffrage for the 2017 poll.
Xi added that the Communist Party's third plenum had intensified the nation's economic reform and would foster co-operation between the mainland and Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
