CY Leung to unveil his report to Beijing on drive for universal suffrage in 2017
Chief executive will unveil his report to Beijing on overhaul for 2017 poll, but will avoid backing any particular proposal ahead of public forum
Hong Kong's political reform process takes its first step today with the unveiling of Leung Chun-ying's report to Beijing on the electoral overhaul needed to achieve universal suffrage for the chief executive election in 2017.
The report is the first move in a five-step process that could last two years.
A source told the South China Morning Post that Leung would explain the political situation in the city and make suggestions on constitutional reform.
As officials suggested earlier, the government will not endorse any particular proposal, as this will be the key issue in the upcoming public consultation.
The source said Beijing was insistent that while Hong Kong would pick its own leader in 2017, the electoral process must abide by the Basic Law and the new chief executive must "love the country and love Hong Kong".
These are also likely to be the core principles set out when the National People's Congress Standing Committee meets next month to decide whether to give the green light to reform.