HK awaits key Beijing ruling on democracy reforms

HONG KONG (Reuters) - China will make a key ruling clarifying Hong Kong's democratic future on Saturday, with Beijing likely to resist public calls to allow universal suffrage in the former British colony by 2012.

The ruling will be made by the Standing Committee of China's parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), which has been deliberating a report from Hong Kong's leader Donald Tsang, asking permission for wider democracy.

The report said a majority of Hong Kongers wanted universal suffrage by 2012, but a delay until 2017 might be more readily accepted by society at large including pro-Beijing politicians.

Hong Kong media reports have already suggested that the NPC is likely to veto full democracy in 2012, while giving a vague indication that 2017 might be possible.

The city's pro-democracy camp, however, says such a ruling would be unacceptable.

"What you have basically is a denial of 2012, and a very remote possibility in 2017 ... it's very difficult to see this as moving forward towards democracy," said Ronny Tong, a pro-democracy legislator with the Civic Party.

"As far as the people of Hong Kong are concerned, this is another 10 years delay with no end in sight," Tong added.

The Standing Committee of the NPC has absolute authority over Hong Kong's constitutional affairs.

The ruling will be the latest twist in Hong Kong's quixotic quest for universal suffrage since the free-wheeling, affluent British colony reverted to Communist China in 1997 as a Special Administrative Region (SAR).

Of the basket of promises enshrined in the city's mini-constitution, Beijing has upheld pledges to allow economic freedoms, but kept the SAR on a tight leash politically, consistently snuffing out hopes for swift democratic progress.

In 2004, the NPC categorically ruled that Beijing had full control of the region's political system, while barring direct polls in 2007 and 2008.

The mini-constitution promises direct elections as the "ultimate aim" but is vague on a date, giving Beijing scope to dictate the pace.

While most Hong Kongers want universal suffrage by 2012, a public opinion poll by the Chinese University found 60 percent of citizens would accept 2017, if 2012 were ruled out.

Beijing may, however, allow marginal tweaks to electoral methods for selecting Hong Kong's leader and legislature in 2012.

Half Hong Kong's 60-seat legislative is directly elected, the other half chosen by special interest groups. The SAR chief executive is picked by an 800-person committee, filled with Beijing loyalists.

(Reporting by James Pomfret; editing by Roger Crabb)