Substantive power to decide on constitutional development rests with central authorities: HK chief executive

Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying stressed Wednesday that the substantive power to decide on constitutional development rests with the central authorities.

Delivering his annual policy address, Leung said the slogan of "Hong Kong shall resolve Hong Kong's problems" does not conform with constitutional arrangements.

The Hong Kong chief executive said that the Basic Law clearly stipulates that the power to nominate candidates of the chief executive election rests only with the nominating committee.

"Over the past year, the central authorities and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Government have repeatedly pointed out that 'civic nomination' does not comply with the Basic Law," he noted.

Leung called on Hong Kong people to make good use of the second round public consultation on the method for selecting the chief executive by universal suffrage.

The consultation started last Wednesday.

"By so doing, five million eligible electors in Hong Kong can select the chief executive through 'one person, one vote' in 2017, " Leung said.

The address, entitled "Uphold the Rule of Law, Seize the Opportunities, Make the Right Choices", was delivered by Leung at Hong Kong's Legislative Council.