2015年CRI Uncertainty Looms over Hong Kong Electoral Reform Plan

 

The plan is due to be sent to the Legislative¹ Council for review on Wednesday.

A vote will then follow, possibly on Thursday at the earliest.

Chief Secretary for Administration Carrie Lam says a "no" vote will surely disappoint millions of Hong Kong citizens.

"If they reject this package, we will lose not only the chance to elect our chief executive through universal suffrage², but also the target of exploring how to elect all legislators through universal suffrage. I want to ask the opposition³ lawmakers: you have long been striving for a universal suffrage for both the chief executive and legislators. Now there is only one step away, will you give up it easily? Will you prefer to disappoint our millions of voters?"

Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung says more Hong Kong people are supporting the government's reform package, citing a poll by the University of Hong Kong.

"People who support or believe they should support the constitutional reform package take up 50%, and those who are against it take up one third. This means, supporters are far more than the opponents. "

The plan, submitted by the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative⁴ Region in April, requires two-thirds support or 47 out of 70 votes to pass.

Pro-government parties hold 43 seats to the opposition's 27.

Many Hong Kong citizens are hoping their voices can be heard.

"I believe the legislators have their own considerations based on their political attitudes. But they should also take a listen to our citizens and voters. "

"If they do not pass this package, it looks like our Hong Kong citizens have only rice for each meal, without vegetables. But we want vegetables and we want soup."

Many civil societies in Hong Kong, including the Federation⁵ of Industry and Commerce, have sent petitions to the SAR government, supporting the reform plan.

Opposition lawmakers had earlier tried to present their own reform plan, seeking to nominate the candidate for the Chief Executive by individuals or political parties.

But under Hong Kong's Basic Law, a candidate must be picked by a broadly representative nominating committee.

Hong Kong's Executive Council member Cheung Chi-kong believes opposition lawmakers are aware their plan is against the Basic Law and they are just venting⁶ their frustration⁷ through a veto.

"As a politician, one important thing is that you should have the right political judgment⁸. The message here is very clear at this point. What you can do and can't do is right in front of your face. This is what you have to do. If you can't take that and make a decision that costs Hong Kong a great opportunity, the consequences are already clear for most people."

Hong Kong has been dogged by protests and demonstrations⁹ over the electoral reform plan over the past year, undermining its rule of law and social harmony.

The government has been appealing for calm ahead of this week's vote on the plan.

A series of precautionary measures have also been put in place amid reports of possible massive protests during the legislative session.

For CRI, I'm Qi Zhi.

1 legislative   

n.立法机构，立法权；adj.立法的，有立法权的

参考例句：

• Congress is the legislative branch of the U.S. government.国会是美国政府的立法部门。
• Today's hearing was just the first step in the legislative process.今天的听证会只是展开立法程序的第一步。

2 suffrage   

n.投票，选举权，参政权

参考例句：

• The question of woman suffrage sets them at variance.妇女参政的问题使他们发生争执。
• The voters gave their suffrage to him.投票人都投票选他。

3 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

4 administrative   

adj.行政的，管理的

参考例句：

• The administrative burden must be lifted from local government.必须解除地方政府的行政负担。
• He regarded all these administrative details as beneath his notice.他认为行政管理上的这些琐事都不值一顾。

5 federation   

n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会

参考例句：

• It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
• Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。

6 venting   

消除； 泄去； 排去； 通风

参考例句：

• But, unexpectedly, he started venting his spleen on her. 哪知道，老头子说着说着绕到她身上来。 来自汉英文学 - 骆驼祥子
• So now he's venting his anger on me. 哦，我这才知道原来还是怄我的气。

7 frustration   

n.挫折，失败，失效，落空

参考例句：

• He had to fight back tears of frustration.他不得不强忍住失意的泪水。
• He beat his hands on the steering wheel in frustration.他沮丧地用手打了几下方向盘。

8 judgment   

n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见

参考例句：

• The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
• He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。

9 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。