Whatever constitutional development proposal is adopted, it should help maintain Hong Kong's lifestyle, long-term prosperity and stability, Chief Secretary Donald Tsang said Thursday.

Various proposals are on the table - but the right one "should safeguard our livelihood," he said.

He made the remark after the Constitutional Development Task Force, which he heads, met with the first batch of more than 100 district councillors to hear their views Thursday.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Tsang said Hong Kong is a city with freedom of speech, and "we are welcome to express our views on the constitutional development issue".

"The recent discussion on the issue will help us know better what kind of proposal will best suit the needs of the community, and the city's situation," he said.

He called on the public to continue to voice their opinions on the principles and legislative process in the Basic Law relating to constitutional development.

In another development, the Hong Kong Bar Association said Thursday that Hong Kong could elect the chief executive in 2007 and the Legislative Council in 2008 through universal suffrage from a legal point of view.

However, whether universal suffrage should take place in 2007 and 2008 should be decided in line with the actual situation in Hong Kong.

"We feel that electing the chief executive through universal suffrage in 2007 is permitted under paragraph 7 of annex I of the Basic Law. This fulfills the principle of gradual and orderly progress," said bar chairman Edward Chan.

Chan was speaking at a press conference Thursday after a bar council meeting reached an official stance on the issue.

Referring to the recent debates on patriotism, he said these should not be the only yardstick for candidates as it was a separate issue from the election system.

The capability and performance of candidates are also very important. It is for the voters to decide who are suitable, he said.

(China Daily HK Edition March 12, 2004)