Seeking solutions for a democratic future

Leading figures from both the Beijing-loyalist and pan-democratic political camps joined the latest of the Post's Redefining Hong Kong seminar series at the JW Marriott hotel. Legislative Council President Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, former chief secretary and lawmaker Anson Chan Fang On-sang, businessman David Tang and Post columnist Alice Wu joined moderator and former Executive Council convenor Ronald Arculli to discuss 'Passage to 2017 - The Next Milestone of One Country, Two Systems'. Their debate covered everything from universal suffrage for the 2017 chief executive election to the future role of political parties in Hong Kong's governance.

Former executive council convenor Ronald Arculli pressed panel participants to define what's needed to push political reform in Hong Kong.

Leading the panel discussion, the moderator asked how the various factions along the political spectrum might reconcile their differences and craft an electoral package that's acceptable to all.

"It is a defining moment for Hong Kong," said Arculli, a former lawmaker. He reaffirmed that all panellists - including Legislative Council President Jasper Tsang Yok-sing and former chief secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang - must reach a consensus on the need for the city to move forward in preparing for the chief executive election in 2017.

Trust and confidence will be important to reach that goal, Arculli said. But he asked: "How do we build trust?