Premier Wen Jia Bao was interviewed by Reuters Editor in Chief Geert Linnebank on the eve of his European tour in April. Geert Linnebank asked whether it was possible to allow Hong Kong people to have universal suffrage in 2012 and if not, on how to restore confidence of Hong Kong people over the HKSAR Administration.
Premier Wen: The central government has been consistent on the policy in Hong Kong of 'one country, two systems,' 'Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong' and implementation of the Basic Law. After Hong Kong returned China, its capitalist system has not changed, its laws have remained basically unchanged, and its way of life has not changed. Hong Kong people have been enjoying much more democratic rights and various freedoms since Hong Kong's return to China than in any other periods in history.
On the constitutional development in Hong Kong, the development should follow the principles of the Basic Law and in accordance with the actual conditions in Hong Kong, and be realized in a gradual and orderly way. Such a practice is conducive to the sound development of politics in Hong Kong, to safeguarding the interests of various sectors and strata in Hong Kong, and to the long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong.
In the seven years since Hong Kong's return to China, Hong Kong's
democracy has been continuously expanding. The number of directly-elected
members of the Legislative Council has increased from 20 in the first council
to 24 in the second, and will rise to 30 in the third. The constitutional
development in Hong Kong should suit its political and economic conditions. The
decision made by the National People's Congress Standing Committee on Hong
Kong's electoral methods was based on democratic consultation and the Committee
had repeatedly listened to the opinions of various sectors. It is normal to have
differing opinions in Hong Kong, a pluralistic society. But I always tell Hong
Kong compatriots that the long-term and fundamental interests of the Hong Kong
people, the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong must be emphasized. The objective
stipulated in the Basic Law has not changed -- to ultimately realize election
by universal suffrage of the chief executive and the Legislative Council of the
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. But this needs a process. We believe
the Hong Kong people are capable of governing Hong Kong well and Hong Kong can
certainly maintain long-term prosperity and stability.