CRI听力:Hong Kong Residents Gathered to Support Universal Suffrage

A thousand residents and delegates from different civic groups gathered in Hong Kong's New Territories to support the election of the next chief executive.

They assembled to pray for universal suffrage based on the Basic Law and the Aug. 31 decision of China's top legislature, the National People's Congress.

"It's pretty good. I didn't expect so many people to attend the activity in such a hot weather. It shows that most of the Hong Kong people support the universal suffrage."

"Hong Kong has been heavily affected by the Occupy Central movement last year. I feel obliged to contribute to and make people know about the package."

Meanwhile, over 900 booths representing a thousand organizations have been set up across Hong Kong to collect signatures from the public, urging lawmakers to pass the government's constitutional development proposals.

Robert Chow Yung is spokesman for the Alliance for Peace and Democracy.

"Our signature campaign will last for nine days. We hope Hong Kong residents can stand up and let the members of the Legislative Council know how many people in Hong Kong are in favor of the constitutional development."

Zeng Zhiming is executive chairman of the Hong Kong Hakka Association.

"It has been 18 years since Hong Kong returned to the motherland. Hong Kong will definitely prosper if our country flourishes. Hong Kong will be better and better. As a Hong Kong resident, I don't think we will live well if we do not bear the concept of a country in mind or acknowledge our roots."

On the same day, the Guangdong Association in Hong Kong held a ceremony echoing the sentiment of the Alliance for Peace and Democracy.

Hong Kong is due to have its next election in 2017.

The Basic Law serves as Hong Kong's constitutional document.

Last year's Aug. 31 decision refers to China's top legislature's approving an election in 2017 for Hong Kong's next chief executive.

For CRI, I'm Tu Yun.