2014-08-12
HKT 19:13
The central government is expected to lay out "an extremely conservative framework" for universal suffrage - according to a source who refused to be named.
The source also said the public should be prepared for the possibility that universal suffrage could only be achieved "as late as 2027".
The National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) is expected to give its decision on political reform in Hong Kong at a meeting in Beijing later this month.
The source said the central government preferred a "highly secure system" and it should not be surprising if the NPCSC decides that a chief executive candidate would need to have the endorsement of more than half of the members of the nominating committee.
The source pointed out that Beijing wanted to ensure that anyone who opposes the central government would not become chief executive and does not want to face any risks because this will be the first time that universal suffrage is implemented in the history of the nation.
The source also stressed that "the rise of the Occupy Central movement had only made matters worse".
But changes could be made to the electoral system after 2017, if necessary, provided that universal suffrage is implemented for the year's elections.
While the source conceded that an extremely conservative framework may alienate even some pro-establishment lawmakers and turn their votes away from supporting the package, that was the
"hardline Beijing preferred to take".
The source stressed the reality now faced by the pan-democrats was whether or not they would accept a package that was not perfect, so the public can be given the right to vote for their next leader.
The source also added that the central government was becoming concerned over what was believed to be an increase in calls for Hong Kong's independence, and that the city would be used to overthrow the Communist Party.
The Chairperson of the Democratic Party, legislator Emily Lau, said the revelations made by the source were "very alarming" and "bad news" for Hong Kong.
http://m.rthk.hk/news/20140812/1029157.htm
