(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-30 19:12

HONG KONG -- Hong Kong newspapers on Sunday gave extensive coverage on the decision by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, on the constitutional development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), noting that it is a major breakthrough and a milestone in this regard.

"To specify a timetable for universal suffrage by the NPC Standing Committee not only indicates that the Central Government has jurisdiction over Hong Kong's constitutional development, but also demonstrates the Central Government's determination and sincerity to push forward democratic development in Hong Kong in accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law," says Wen Wei Po in its editorial.

The decision also charts a clearer direction for Hong Kong's future constitutional development, providing an institutional guarantee for the stability and development of the political system in Hong Kong, it notes.

"Thereafter, Hong Kong has entered a new stage in concretely implementing universal suffrage in its constitutional development, " the editorial says.

On Saturday, the NPC Standing Committee made a decision in Beijing on the constitutional development of the HKSAR, which said that the election of the fifth HKSAR Chief Executive in the year 2017 may be implemented by the method of universal suffrage.

The decision also said that after the Chief Executive is selected by universal suffrage, the election of HKSAR Legislative Council may be implemented by the method of electing all the members by universal suffrage.

"The decision by the NPC Standing Committee is not only a major breakthrough in Hong Kong's constitutional development but also a fundamental reflection of the political rights and interests of Hong Kong people under the principle of 'one country, two systems', 'Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong' and a high degree of autonomy," says Ta Kung Po daily in its editorial.

The editorial calls on Hong Kong people to concentrate their attention on developing economy, improving their livelihood and promoting social harmony and stability so as to create favorable conditions for the smooth realization of universal suffrage.

In its commentary, the South China Morning Post, a major English daily newspaper, says that the NPC Standing Committee's decision paves the way for the achievement of universal suffrage for both the Chief Executive and Legislative Council within a time frame.

"In that respect, we should welcome it and seize the opportunity," it says.

Other daily newspapers, such as Mingpao, Singtao and Singpao, also carry commentaries urging Hong Kong people to treasure the opportunity and seek consensus to work towards universal suffrage in a pragmatic way.

"In the next 10 years, Hong Kong people no longer need endless arguments, instead, they should take concrete efforts in areas such as legislation, education and cultivation of political talents to meet future constitutional development," says Singtao in its commentary.