Hong Kong will attain universal suffrage because of the Basic Law, and not the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights, Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Stephen Lam told legislators today.

The Government has made it clear the future universal suffrage models should comply with the Basic Law and the principles of universality and equality.

He said the next-term Chief Executive returned in 2012 should deal with the universal suffrage model for the Chief Executive in 2017.

As for the universal suffrage model for the Legislative Council in 2020, it will be appropriate for the fifth-term Chief Executive returned by universal suffrage in 2017 to deal with it. He said this Chief Executive returned by universal suffrage will have broad public support to lead the Hong Kong community.

The Government will table legislative proposals on abolishing the District Council appointment system after LegCo resumes business this autumn. Mr Lam said they will listen to the views of LegCo and the community before making a decision.