HK gov't opposes unlawful actions by 'Occupy Central'

HONG KONG - Hong Kong's government is resolute in opposing the unlawful occupation actions by "Occupy Central", said Hong Kong Chief Executive C Y Leung on Sunday.

Responding to the announcement that "Occupy Central" movement formally started on early Sunday morning, Leung said to the media that the Police would continue to handle the situation in accordance with the law.

"I and my government have all along been listening attentively to the views of the members of public. The public are encouraged to express their aspirations peacefully, rationally and lawfully, and to respect and accommodate different views in the society," Leung said.

He stressed that the National People's Congress Standing Committee's (NPCSC) decision on Hong Kong's constitutional development has been made in strict accordance with the relevant provisions of the Basic Law and after detailed and careful deliberation of the actual situation of Hong Kong and the views of various sectors of the community. "It is legally binding."

The NPCSC has decided that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region elects its chief executive starting from 2017 by universal suffrage.

"This is an important step towards the constitutional development of Hong Kong and is surely better than a stalemate," Leung said.

"I and my government will, in accordance with the Basic Law and the relevant decision of the NPCSC, try our very best to implement the election of the chief executive by universal suffrage in 2017. "

He said that the government will launch the next stage of the consultation on constitutional development shortly.

Leung appealed to various sectors of the community to engage in rational discussions through peaceful and lawful means so as to allow the 5 million eligible voters in Hong Kong to elect the chief executive in 2017 for the first time in Hong Kong history by one person one vote.

On Dec. 4, 2013, the HKSAR government published the Consultation Document on the Methods for Selecting the Chief Executive in 2017 to formally commence a five-month public consultation to collect views from various sectors of the community on major issues and related questions on the electoral method.

Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam said also on the press conference that the NPCSC's decision is in accordance with the Basic Law and also a response to the demand of Hong Kong residents. This decision could be perceived as a new point to achieve universal suffrage for the chief executive election in 2017.

Lam highlighted the importance of the second round public consultation. she said that more concrete details need to be discussed between the HKSAR government and Hong Kong residents.

"Our objective is to hold an election which is fair, open, just, transparent and competitive, " Lam said.

She made an appeal to all sectors of Hong Kong to participate actively in the second round public consultation.