The implementation of the constitutional reform in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is part of the internal affairs, a spokesman of the Hong Kong government said Wednesday, in response to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission 2011 Annual Report on Hong Kong.

Hong Kong's constitutional reform is a matter for the Hong Kong SAR and the Chinese central authorities to deal with according to the Basic Law, added the spokesman.

"We hope that foreign governments and legislatures will continue to respect this principle," he said.

"The 2012 Constitutional Reform Package was based firmly on the Basic Law and the 2007 decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and the HKSAR government has taken full account of the views and suggestions expressed during the consultation period," said the spokesman.

According to the spokesman, Hong Kong has been developing towards the ultimate goal of universal suffrage after passing the package in 2010.

"As to Hong Kong's constitutional development, both the central authorities and the HKSAR government are fully committed to promoting constitutional development in accordance with the Basic Law, with a view to achieving the ultimate aim of universal suffrage," he said.

Under the "one-person-two-votes" arrangement, the 3.56 million registered voters in Hong Kong can cast one vote in the Legislative Council geographical constituency election and another one in the functional constituency election. This can greatly strengthen the democratic elements of the elections and promote the confidence of Hong Kong citizens in the implementation of universal suffrage.

The Hong Kong government has made it clear that the future universal suffrage models should comply with the Basic Law and the principles of universality and equality, said the spokesman.

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