Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang (曾蔭權) said yesterday that he had reached an agreement with a leading opposition party on changes to the territory’s electoral system, marking Beijing’s first political deal with the pro-democracy camp.
Critics accused the Democratic Party of selling out, arguing the compromise allowed China to put off free elections.
Tsang recently proposed expanding the territory’s leader selection committee by 400 people to 1,200 people and the legislature from 60 members to 70 for the 2012 election, keeping the chamber half-elected, half-picked by interest groups.
He said yesterday he agreed to tweak his proposal at the suggestion of the Democratic Party by putting all 10 new legislative seats to a popular vote.
“I am very happy that we can see a glimmer of hope in our progress toward democracy today,” Tsang told reporters.
With the Democratic Party on board, Tsang’s proposed reforms are expected to secure the 40 votes required for passage tomorrow.
Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong endorsed the new package in a statement issued by Xinhua news agency.
“We hope all sectors of Hong Kong society, especially its legislators, will appreciate this chance, put aside their divisions and forge consensus in a practical manner,” the statement said.
Others in the pro-democracy camp say it does not reflect genuine democracy.
“This doesn’t change the political structure fundamentally,” League of Social Democrats Legislator Raymond Wong (黃毓民) said. “They [the Democratic Party] have forgotten about the endgame of universal suffrage.”
Civic Party Chairwoman Audrey Eu (余若薇) was also unhappy: “It will give the government the excuse that they have succeeded in giving a major improvement in democracy. They will think they can relax and come back to it later,” she said.
Democratic Party Vice Chairwoman Emily Lau (劉慧卿) defended the deal: “The amended proposal is a step forward in the right direction and paves the way for universal suffrage. We understand that some may no longer support our party if we vote ‘yes’ on the reform proposal, and we respect that.”
Veteran democracy activist Martin Lee (李家誠) said he was disillusioned with the party he helped found and once led.
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