Green Paper on Constitutional Development

Green Paper on Constitutional Development is a consultation document released by the Government of Hong Kong Special Administration Region (HKSAR) on 11 July 2007. This is the first "green paper" released by the HKSAR since its establishment. The consultation period went until 11 October 2007.

The focus of this Green Paper is on political reform within the framework of the Hong Kong Basic Law, particularly the methods in which the Chief Executive (CE) and the Legislative Council (LegCo) are elected and the timetable in which these reforms will take place.

Contents
The following are the options provided by the Green Paper in regard to electing the CE.

On the size on the nominating committee, the options are:


 * Fewer than 800 members (60 of which are LegCo members)
 * 800 members
 * More than 800 members

On the number of candidates, the options are:


 * 10 or more (requiring less than 12.5% of the nomination by the Election Committee)
 * At most 8 (requiring 12.5% of the nomination by the Election Committee)
 * 2 to 4 (requiring 25% of the nomination by the Election Committee)

On the roadmap and timetable for implementing universal suffrage for electing the CE, the options are:


 * As early as 2012
 * A "transitional phase" in the 2012 election and attaining universal suffrage in 2017
 * After 2017

The following are the options provided by the Green Paper with regard to reforming the LegCo:


 * Replace functional constituencies seats with district-based seats returned through direct election
 * Retaining functional constituencies seats, but change the electoral method
 * Increase the number of seats representing District Councils in LegCo

On the roadmap and timetable for implementing universal suffrage for LegCo, the options are:


 * Directly in 2012
 * In phases in 2016
 * In phases after 2016