Major political groups in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) welcomed the top legislature's decision to allow universal suffrage during the 2017 vote for the region's fifth chief executive.

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) made the decision on Saturday after considering a report on Hong Kong's constitutional development submitted by the HKSAR chief executive as well as the situation in Hong Kong itself, Tam Yiu-chung, chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), the largest political group in Hong Kong, said.

"Therefore, the DAB supports the decision," he said.

He called on the public to work together to make universal suffrage a reality in Hong Kong.

The NPC Standing Committee also said the HKSAR Legislative Council could one day be decided by universal suffrage.

"The clarification of a universal suffrage timetable by the NPC Standing Committee puts Hong Kong's constitutional development on a stable path and also accords with the aspirations of Hong Kong society," Tian Pei-chun, chairman of the Liberal Party, said.

"With the clear timetable, all political groups should take advantage of the time left to make solid preparations and join efforts with different sectors to push for the realization of universal suffrage," he said.

Cheng Yiu-tong, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions said the decision was a sincere response to the wishes of Hong Kong people and balances the interests of all sides concerned.

"It is pragmatic and conducive to the long-term development of Hong Kong. It is a milestone in Hong Kong's constitutional development," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency January 3, 2008)