More than half of the 800 Election Committee (EC) members had nominated Donald Tsang to run for the next term chief executive (CE) poll.

"I have obtained 450 nominations. I will not only continue getting the support of other EC members and their votes, but also get them agree with my election manifesto," Tsang said yesterday.

He said he understood the wish of the members and pledged that he would respond to the demands in the coming five years, if re-elected.

The CE election will be held on March 25, with Tsang and Civic Party legislator Alan Leong contesting for the top job.

Explaining his re-election manifesto to Election Committee members yesterday, Tsang said social disputes would be narrowed down should the issue of constitutional development be tackled in the next five years.

Public livelihood and economic situation could be improved under a harmonious society, Tsang said.

"If I can tackle the constitutional development issue as early as possible after being re-elected, the chances for the community to argue on other issues would then be reduced. This can help create a harmonious society, and the discussion for tackling public livelihood and economic issues would be widened," he said.

Tsang had earlier pledged that a green paper concluding the discussion on universal suffrage by the Commission for Strategic Development would be issued in mid-2007, listing the roadmap and timetable for democracy.

Stressing the issue as one of the 10 challenges facing Hong Kong, he said democratic development should not paralyze the government and affect efficiency.

He said the green paper would list the acceptable proposals of democratic development by different sectors, including the opposition camp.

"The opinions of different parties would be included in the green paper, enabling Hong Kong citizens to have in-depth discussion and pick up an acceptable model. This is the aim of the green paper. I am willing to present the views of the pan-democratic camp for discussion if they can coordinate and conclude their suggestions," he said.

Social enterprise summit

If elected, Tsang said, he would convene a summit on social enterprises to tackle the poverty gap and create job opportunities for the poor as soon as possible after the election in March.

Representatives from the business sector, non-governmental organizations and jobless people would be invited to the submit and study the establishment of social enterprises in remote areas or districts with high unemployment rate.

His manifesto had stated that 10,000 three-year jobs would be created for youngsters.

Tsang said he had discussed a lot of topics, including political development, social welfare, social services and sports development, with Election Committee members.

(China Daily HK Edition February 5, 2007)