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China Voice: A historic opportunity for Hong Kong's future

Xinhua, May 25, 2015 Adjust font size:

In 2017, up to 5 million Hong Kong people are expected to have the chance to vote for their chief executive for the first time in history, thanks to a proposed universal suffrage package unveiled by the local government in April.

The plan has already secured the support of the majority of the Hong Kong public, but some opposition legislators in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) have threatened to block the plan.

Instead of making useful suggestions of their own, they simply disparage the feasibility and practicality of the current plan.

A 1,200-member nominating committee from four social sectors consisting of 38 sub-sectors will nominate candidates, balancing the interests of different circles in Hong Kong.

The proposed system is more fair in terms of public representation than any other nomination, be it by a political party, by a political faction or by a number of citizens. It will bypass the potential political antagonism and lower the risk of Hong Kong being led to populism.

The nomination process which has drawn the most flack from opposition legislators both guarantees the facticity of public opinions and avoids possible unlimited election rivalry, thus striking a balance between people's right to choose and keeping their choice meaningful.

The "committee nomination" plan will work in Hong Kong. It is undoubtedly the best plan for selecting a chief executive through "one person, one vote" and does not have room for any modification. Anyone who has their mind on the long-term interests of Hong Kong will support the plan.

If the plan is still vetoed after all these rounds of consultation, we can foresee that Hong Kong will be afflicted by continuing division, antagonism and meaningless squabbling.

If opposition legislators are brave enough, they will discard selfish interests and not miss the opportunity to give Hong Kong a better future.

The people are waiting. Endi