Two local deputations yesterday asked the government to fix a timetable for Hong Kong's constitutional development and fully reflect local people's views on the issue to the central government.

"The SAR government should announce a firm timetable on constitutional review as soon as possible," said Chu Yiu-ming, chairman of the Democratic Development Network (DNN).

He made the remark after a meeting with the taskforce on constitutional development headed by Chief Secretary Donald Tsang.

Apart from DNN, the team also met with the Frontier to listen to its opinion.

"Instead of simply relaying the messages, he (Tsang) must also lobby the central government to take on board the views of the Hong Kong people," Chu added.

DNN member Joseph Chan, head of the Department of Politics and Public Administration of the University of Hong Kong, said he was concerned that a firm timetable was not yet available.

The later the timetable was delayed, the more dissatisfaction and disappointment would mount, and the less likely would it be to have any rational discussion and consensus, he said.

The Frontier's convener Emily Lau said that universal suffrage for the election of the chief executive in 2007 and formation of the Legislative Council in 2008 is permitted under the Basic Law.

Her colleague Cyd Ho asked Tsang to tell the public his understanding of local opinions before visiting Beijing.

(China Daily HK Edition January 30, 2004)