Mainland expresses support for HK chief executive

BEIJING - China's central authorities have expressed support for Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) CY Leung to govern in line with laws, said a spokesman with the country's top political advisory body Saturday.

The central authorities expressed support to Leung when he was in Beijing to brief officials on Hong Kong's latest economic, social and political development last December, said Lyu Xinhua, spokesman for the first session of the 12th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), at a press conference here.

"I know Mr CY Leung quite well. He is responsible, committed and capable. I believe, under his leadership, Hong Kong will have a better future," Lyu said.

When commenting on the the universal suffrage of HKSAR chief executive and the Legislative Council, Lyu said detailed arrangements should be carefully and fully discussed by Hong Kong government and society to reach consensus.

The National People's Congress Standing Committee, China's top legislature, has set a timetable that allowed universal suffrage for the HKSAR chief executive no earlier than 2017 and that for all the HKSAR legislators afterwards.