Optimising resources: Chief Executive Donald Tsang says a new admission scheme will be launched in the first half of next year to allow specifically qualified elites from the Mainland and overseas to reside in Hong Kong.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang says a new admission scheme will be launched in the first half of next year to allow specifically qualified elites from the Mainland and overseas to reside in Hong Kong, without first having to secure a local employment offer.

Mr Tsang said the elites can then decide whether to settle here long-term, adding the Government is considering the introduction of an objective points system to assess applicants.

Speaking at the Economic Summit 2006 today, Mr Tsang said the Government will be proactive in exploring ways to protect the local workforce.

He said the Labour Advisory Board is now studying the question of a minimum wage and standard working hours. While he hopes the board can make some concrete progress on this issue in the coming months, if it does not he would put it to the Commission on Strategic Development for further deliberation.

Proposed package represents a major step

Speaking on the televised statement he made last night, Mr Tsang said his proposed package on constitutional development aims to make the elections for the Chief Executive and Legislative Council more democratic.

"This would be a major step, because it will enable us to ensure that the five years beyond 2007 would be a government elected by an arrangement more liberal and more democratic than the one we have now."

He said Hong Kong must build up this consensus within the community to take this major step. We could then build the foundation and talk about universal suffrage.

"If we fail to take this step, how do you expect us to come up with a better consensus in 2012, which in fact is another five years away?" he asked.