2014-08-28
HKT 21:04
Local deputies to the National People's Congress have indicated that there is "no chance" that a draft resolution on Hong Kong's political reform will be altered, before the NPC Standing Committee decides whether to endorse the framework on Sunday.
The draft, which has been widely leaked, says chief executive hopefuls can only become candidates if they're backed by over half the nominating committee, which will essentially be unchanged from the current election committee.
Basic Law committee member Maria Tam said everyone who spoke at an NPC Standing Committee meeting on political reform supported the draft.
She said all the speakers agreed that while universal suffrage would have a positive effect on Hong Kong, they also had to be vigilant about safeguarding national security, and ensuring the continued
"harmony" of the SAR.
Ms Tam said to her knowledge, there would be no further discussions on the matter before the Standing Committee makes a decision on the draft resolution.
Fellow NPC deputy Cheng Yiu-Tong said the chance of any changes to the draft was
"close to zero", and he stressed that any planned protest actions in Hong Kong would not affect the Standing Committee's decision.
Pan-democrats have said the framework is unacceptable.
http://m.rthk.hk/news/20140828/1033180.htm
