Hong Kong leader urges China to widen democracy

By James Pomfret

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang urged China on Wednesday to allow greater democracy in the former British colony in a report which said the majority of people in Hong Kong wanted direct elections by 2012.

But the report was criticized by the pro-democracy camp for its lack of a concrete timetable and for suggesting a delay until 2017 as a more pragmatic option.

Tsang submitted the report to the leaders of China's parliament, the National People's Congress, advocating the city's electoral system be "further democratized" for the selection of the city's legislature and leader.

"Opinion polls have shown that implementing universal suffrage for the chief executive election first in 2012 is the expectation of more than half of the public," Tsang said in a statement.

But he said a delay until 2017 stood a "better chance of being accepted", with the city's pro-Beijing dominated legislature largely opposed to swift democratization by 2012.

"Half of the community believes that 2012 is the best timing, but realistically we do not have enough votes in Legco (the Legislative Council)," said Henry Tang, Hong Kong's chief secretary and number two official.

Any electoral changes must be backed by at least two thirds of the legislature, as well as the chief executive and Beijing.

Britain handed back Hong Kong to Communist-ruled China in 1997. Its mini-constitution promises direct elections as the "ultimate aim" but is vague on a timetable, giving Beijing's leaders scope to dictate the pace.

The pro-democracy camp, which wants direct elections by 2012, expressed disappointment at the report's lack of substance.

"I think this report has twisted the public's opinion and it has not delivered, it makes no commitments and has ... no timetable," said Anson Chan, a staunch pro-democracy legislator.

The report is the culmination of a watershed political consultation process completed in October, aimed at deciding how and when Hong Kong should hold direct elections for its leader and legislature with the approval of the public and Beijing.

Of the 18,200 public submissions received, 69 percent backed direct elections in 2012.

Currently Hong Kong's leader is picked by an 800-seat committee under the influence of the Communist leadership in Beijing. Only half of the 60 Legislative Council deputies are popularly elected.

Britain handed back Hong Kong to China with the guarantee of a high degree of autonomy. The city has maintained its free-wheeling business and social life without universal suffrage, an idea the British promoted only in the dying days of colonial rule.

(Additional reporting by John Ruwitch; editing by Nick Macfie)