Policy Address

15.       Therefore, the substantive power to decide on constitutional development rests with the Central Authorities.  The Decision of the NPCSC has irrefutable legal status and is legally valid.  The slogan of "Hong Kong shall resolve Hong Kong's problems" does not conform with our constitutional arrangements.  The Basic Law clearly stipulates that the power to nominate candidates of the Chief Executive election rests only with the nominating committee.  Over the past year, the Central Authorities and the HKSAR Government have repeatedly pointed out that "civic nomination" does not comply with the Basic Law.

16.       Last Wednesday, the Government announced the launch of the second round public consultation on the method for selecting the Chief Executive by universal suffrage.  I sincerely hope the community will make good use of the two-month consultation period to discuss the issues rationally and pragmatically within the framework of the Basic Law and the relevant Interpretation and Decisions of the NPCSC, respect the rule of law and forge consensus.  By so doing, five million eligible electors in Hong Kong can select the Chief Executive through "one person, one vote" in 2017.  The incidents in the past few months show that Hong Kong people will not agree to means of expression that deny others of their rights, and will not condone any unlawful acts.

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