The third-term HKSAR Government is fully committed to pursuing democracy and the implementation of universal suffrage for returning the Chief Executive and the Legislative Council according to the Basic Law, Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Stephen Lam says.

"If we did not have such a commitment the Chief Executive would not have given Hong Kong people and Hong Kong society the undertaking to pursue this agenda during the new five-year term between 2007 and 2012," Mr Lam said after attending Radio Television Hong Kong's City Forum programme today.

"If we did not have such a commitment we would not have issued the Constitutional Development Green Paper in July and we would not have presented our report to the National People's Congress' Standing Committee so soon after completion of the three-month consultation period."

Mr Lam said the Government firmly believes Hong Kong has the ability and the public support for pursuing universal suffrage in accordance with the Basic Law. "We will get to that ultimate destination," he stressed.

Decision pending

Yesterday Mr Lam said the Government is awaiting the standing committee's confirmation for including the Chief Executive's report in their agenda and their decision after considering the report.

"We have fully reflected the views of Hong Kong people for early implementation of universal suffrage. We have also asked the standing committee for confirmation as to whether the electoral methods for returning the Chief Executive and the Legislative Council in 2012 can be amended. We await that decision and we will take further action on the basis of that decision," he added.

On the new tiers of political appointees Mr Lam said people of different backgrounds are welcome to express their interest in joining the Government as under-secretaries and political assistants.

He said the recruitment will be overseen by an appointment committee chaired by the Chief Executive.

"We have to be vigilant and careful in choosing these candidates because we realise the under-secretaries and political assistants will be conducting important work on behalf of the Government in serving the people," he said.