China accepts Hong Kong polls
Saturday, 29 Dec 2007 08:48
Residents of Hong Kong will be able to choose their political leader by 2017
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China has agreed to the holding of direct elections in Hong Kong within the next decade.
Responding to a report from Hong Kong's political leader Donald Tsang regarding the holding of direct polls in the special region, Beijing said it would allow direct elections for the territory's leader by 2017 and legislators by 2020.
In elections in Hong Kong last year, an 800-member body of the Chinese parliament picked Hong Kong's top official. However, voters from Hong Kong could decide on half of the legislators in parliament while the remainder was reserved for business leaders and other influential people.
Speaking at a press conference after Beijing's decision, Hong Kong's political leader Mr Tsang said: "We are grateful and we welcome Beijing's decision. It sets a clear timetable for electing the chief executive and legislators," he said.
"We must treasure this hard-earned opportunity," he added.
Mr Tsang stated that the territory, known to China as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, was entering "an important new phase".
Hong Kong was previously ruled by Britain under a 99-year lease with China. It was handed over to the
Asian nation on July 1st 1997 upon the end of the agreement.