The members of the Standing Committee are of the view that implementing universal suffrage for the selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region represents a historic progress in Hong Kong's democratic development and a significant change in the political structure of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Since the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and the sovereignty, security and development interests of the country are at stake, there is a need to proceed in a prudent and steady manner, so as to prevent all sorts of possible risks that may arise therefrom. Since the selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region by universal suffrage has its origin in the provisions of the Hong Kong Basic Law, the formulation of the method for selecting the Chief Executive by universal suffrage must strictly comply with the relevant provisions of the Hong Kong Basic Law, accord with the principle of "one country, two systems", and befit the legal status of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It must meet the interests of different sectors of the society, achieve balanced participation, and be conducive to the development of the capitalist economy, with a view to making gradual and orderly progress in developing a democratic system that suits the actual situation in Hong Kong. The members of the Standing Committee take the view that when formulating the basic policies on Hong Kong, the central authorities have already clearly defined the scope and criteria for the principle of "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong", that is, Hong Kong must be administered by the Hong Kong people, with patriots being the mainstay. According to the Hong Kong Basic Law, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is the head of both the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, and shall be accountable to both the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Central People's Government. The Chief Executive must swear to uphold the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and swear allegiance to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. Therefore, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region must be a person who loves the country and loves Hong Kong. This is a basic requirement of the policy of "one country, two systems". It is determined by the legal status and important functions and duties of the Chief Executive as stipulated in the Hong Kong Basic Law, and called for by the actual need to maintain long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and uphold the sovereignty, security and development interests of the country. The method for selecting the Chief Executive by universal suffrage should provide corresponding institutional safeguards for this purpose.

The members of the NPC Standing Committee take the view that although 17 years have passed since the return of Hong Kong to the motherland, there is still a small number of people in the Hong Kong community who do not properly understand the policy of "one country, two systems", do not abide by the Hong Kong Basic Law or acknowledge the Central Government's governing power over Hong Kong. On the issue of universal suffrage for the Chief Executive, there are divergent views within the Hong Kong community. A small number of people have even raised views that are contrary to the Hong Kong Basic Law and openly advocated illegal activities. Such developments will inevitably undermine the rule of law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the interests of Hong Kong residents and foreign investors and the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, and hence merit close attention. The members of the NPC Standing Committee take the view that given its constitutional responsibility for the proper implementation of the Hong Kong Basic Law and for making decision on the method for selecting the Chief Executive, it is necessary for the NPC Standing Committee to make provisions on certain core issues concerning the method of universal suffrage for the selection of the Chief Executive, so as to facilitate the building of consensus within the Hong Kong community and ensure that the selection of the Chief Executive by universal suffrage will proceed on the right track as laid down by the Hong Kong Basic Law and the relevant Decisions of the NPC Standing Committee.

The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council takes the view that although the views are quite divergent in the Hong Kong community with regard to the specific method of universal suffrage for the selection of the Chief Executive, various sectors of the Hong Kong community generally hope to see the selection of the Chief Executive by universal suffrage in 2017. Therefore, in accordance with the relevant Decision of the NPC Standing Committee adopted on 29 December 2007, the implementation of the selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region by universal suffrage in 2017 may be approved. At the same time, it is necessary to make provisions on the core issues concerning the method of universal suffrage for selecting the Chief Executive, which will be conducive to building further consensus in the Hong Kong community. The method for forming the Legislative Council in 2016 may remain unchanged.