HK connection: Permanent Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Joshua Law, Shanghai Expo Executive Committee Vice Director Zhong Yanqun, Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Stephen Lam, China Travel Service (HK) Director & General Manager Zhou Laiwei and Director of Information Services Michael Wong open the Connect to Hong Kong at Shanghai Expo pavilion at Victoria Park.

Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Stephen Lam opened the Connect to Hong Kong at Shanghai Expo pavilion at the 44th Hong Kong Brands & Products Expo in Victoria Park today.

He said Expo 2010 in Shanghai will be a top opportunity for Hong Kong to promote its status as Asia's world city.

"We also believe this will strengthen Shanghai-Hong Kong co-operation. It will also enhance the international status of China through the hosting of such an international mega-event," he said.

On 2012 constitutional development, he said the Government recently launched a consultation at district council level. So far four district councils have been approached and most support the objective of making progress in 2012 to pave the way for the implementation of universal suffrage in 2017 and 2020.

He said they also believe it will be helpful to enhance the participation of elected district councillors in the election of the Chief Executive and also the Legislative Council in 2012.

"As for the possibility of five legislative councillors resigning from the geographical constituencies and the need to hold by-elections, we will comply with the relevant legislation in organising the by-elections if necessary," he added.

"We believe that in the course of the first six months of 2010, we should have adequate room and time both to organise the by-elections and also to present our proposals for amending Annexes I and II of the Basic Law to roll forward the constitutional development package for 2012. We will handle work on both tracks to the best of our abilities and in line with the Basic Law and relevant legislation."