CY Leung urges rationalism over HK political reform

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As China's top legislature begins discussing potential political reforms for Hong Kong, the city's chief executive is calling on people in Hong Kong to express their views in a peaceful manner.

Speaking ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting, CY Leung has reiterated that the election of the new city leader will follow the Hong Kong Basic Law, rather than the so-called international standard.

"Foreigners who are permanent residents of Hong Kong are eligible to vote. If we apply the international standard, are we going to deprive their rights? After the election, the Chief Executive must be appointed by the central authorities; it is because the special administrative region's leader, who enjoys more power than other domestic leaders of cities and provinces is authorized by the central government. Hong Kong is ruled by law, so our election and political reform must proceed according to the Basic Law."

At the same time, CY Leung says he hopes that the people of Hong Kong will express their views in a calm, legal, and rational manner after decisions on reform are announced.

"The behavior of Occupy Central organizer Benny Tai Yiu-ting and others involved in the movement, who have threatened to paralyze the financial district over the past half year, have not helped Hong Kong's political reform process, but rather have played counter-effective. I hope Hong Kong society can express views in a peaceful and legal way, so we can realize universal suffrage step by step. "

Campaigners from the Occupy Central group have threatened to mobilize thousands of protesters to block Central, the financial district, later this year if authorities reject the public nomination of candidates for the city's top job.

According to the Basic Law, or the city's mini Constitution, the hopefuls for the chief executive election will be required to get the backing of half of the nominating committee to enter the race.

After China's top legislature makes the decision on the city's constitutional development, officials with the central authority will come to Hong Kong to address a briefing session next Monday. Guests from different sectors of the community are invited to attend the meeting.

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