HONG KONG - THE Hong Kong government proposed electoral changes on Wednesday that would continue to limit direct elections, reflecting Beijing's wary stance on democracy in this semi-autonomous Chinese territory.
While Beijing has allowed this former British colony to maintain separate political and economic systems that protect Western-style civil liberties, it has continued to limit the impact of elections.
Hong Kong's current leader was chosen by an 800-member committee loyal to Beijing while the 60-member legislature is half-elected, half chosen by interest groups that also tend to side with the Chinese government.
Hong Kong's No. 2 official told legislators on Wednesday that the government wants to expand the leader selection committee to 1,200 people for the 2012 election cycle. Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang also proposed expanding the legislature to 70 members - but maintaining the 50:50 ratio of elected and interest group seats.
The proposals, which require 40 votes in the legislature, will likely be blocked by Hong Kong's pro-democracy political opposition.
Hard-line opposition lawmakers want direct elections of all political offices immediately, while moderate figures say they will support limited reform only if there is a clear promise of full democracy at a fixed date - a timetable the Chinese and Hong Kong governments so far have refused to deliver. -- AP
While Beijing has allowed this former British colony to maintain separate political and economic systems that protect Western-style civil liberties, it has continued to limit the impact of elections.
Hong Kong's current leader was chosen by an 800-member committee loyal to Beijing while the 60-member legislature is half-elected, half chosen by interest groups that also tend to side with the Chinese government.
Hong Kong's No. 2 official told legislators on Wednesday that the government wants to expand the leader selection committee to 1,200 people for the 2012 election cycle. Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang also proposed expanding the legislature to 70 members - but maintaining the 50:50 ratio of elected and interest group seats.
The proposals, which require 40 votes in the legislature, will likely be blocked by Hong Kong's pro-democracy political opposition.
Hard-line opposition lawmakers want direct elections of all political offices immediately, while moderate figures say they will support limited reform only if there is a clear promise of full democracy at a fixed date - a timetable the Chinese and Hong Kong governments so far have refused to deliver. -- AP
