Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, seeking to allay fears China is blocking democracy in Hong Kong, has pledged to allow ultimately the direct election of the territory's leader and legislature.
He gave no timetable, but his pledge came two days after China's parliament dashed hopes in Hong Kong of electing its chief executive by universal suffrage in 2007 and its entire Legislative Council in 2008.
"Our objective has not changed," Wen told Reuters at the Zhongnanhai leadership compound in Beijing ahead of his May 2-12 visit to Europe, which includes a stop in Britain, Hong Kong's former colonial ruler.
"The objective stipulated in the Basic Law has not changed -- to ultimately realise election by universal suffrage of the chief executive and the Legislative Council of the Special Administrative Region," Wen said today.
The first possibility of direct elections under the Basic Law, the territory's mini-constitution, would have been in 2007.
Wen did not reply to a question whether election by suffrage of the chief executive and entire legislature would be possible in the next polls in 2012.
He expressed confidence in Hong Kong people ruling themselves and the territory maintaining long-term prosperity and stability.
Wen defended China against criticism it was blocking democracy in Hong Kong, designated a Special Administrative Region of China after it reverted to Chinese rule in 1997.
"The capitalist system in Hong Kong has not changed. Hong Kong's laws have remained basically unchanged. Hong Kong's way of life has also not changed," the 61-year-old premier said.