Press

For Immediate Release

The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPCSC) announced its decision today on universal suffrage for electing the Chief Executive (CE) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2017 and the method for forming the Legislative Council (LegCo) in 2016.  The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce welcomes the decision and sincerely hopes that Hong Kong can now move forward to introduce universal suffrage for the CE election in 2017 accordingly.

Chamber Chairman Y K Pang said, “The people of Hong Kong hope that universal suffrage can be implemented as early as possible.  If we can achieve universal suffrage for the election of the CE in 2017, people in Hong Kong will, for the first time, have a direct say to elect their CE, which will be a major milestone in the history of Hong Kong.”

To meet the schedule for electing the CE in 2017, amendments to be introduced by the Government to LegCo will have to be endorsed, and then approved by the CE, who will then submit the relevant bill to the NPCSC for consideration and approval. The Chamber hopes that Hong Kong people can, for the first time, elect their top leader in three years' time.

With regards to reports in the media that the Occupy Central campaign will begin today, Mr Pang added, “If people break the law to show their dissatisfaction with the framework for electing the CE, such as occupying Central, they will not only affect Hong Kong’s social order and economic prosperity, but also undermine our position as an international business and financial hub. This will rock international confidence in Hong Kong's stability, and directly affect Hong Kong’s business environment and people’s livelihood in the future.”

To move Hong Kong forward, the Chamber urges Hong Kong people to contribute towards the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong through dialogue, and to refrain from illegal action to occupy Central.