2015年CRI Lawmakers Start Debating on Reform Plan with Crowds of Supporters outside Legco

 

Vocal¹ supporters of the proposal have been out in-force, playing the national anthem² and waving the Chinese flag outside the Legco building, hoping to convince lawmakers inside Legco to vote "yes" on the reform plan.

"Hong Kong is our home. We want it to be stable and prosper³, but some people even lawmakers are trying to destroy it. We are here to show that we love our country and Hong Kong."

Stanley Ng is one of the organizers of the "yes" rallies.

"It's encouraging to see so many people showing up. Even though we are not optimistic about the result, we are still making our last-ditch effort. We hope lawmakers can respect our voice."

Pro-establishment lawmakers thank all supporters showing up at the Legislative⁴ Council Complex before the vote on Hong Kong's political reform on June 17th, 2015.[Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

Hong Kong Chief Secretary Carrie Lam, who led the government task force on political reform, is one of those who is pressing to have the proposal passed.

"Public opinion is clear. The majority of Hong Kong people would like to see their right to vote being put in place in 2017 so that there will be development in political reform."

The proposal to change the voting structure to allow for a system of universal sufferage in Hong Kong will require a two-third majority to pass.

With many lawmakers already pledging to vote no, it appears unlikely the political reforms will make it through.

Still, supporter Regina Ip is urging her fellow lawmakers to pass the bill.

"It is very touching⁵ to see those supporters outside in such hot weather, old and young, male and female. They want our political reform to be passed. I will persuade lawmakers who want to veto the plan that the Central Government is sincere and determined⁶ to give us universal suffrage⁷. This is a big step forward in the democratic process. I hope they can face up the history, and don't lose this opportunity. "

Hong Kong legislators are expected to vote on the proposals before Friday.

So far, the demonstrations⁸ outside Legco have been taking place without incident, with supporters and opponents vowing⁹ to remain on-site until the vote takes place.

Security has been tightened¹⁰ in the area.

If the proposal is passed, 5 million eligible¹¹ voters in Hong Kong could elect the next chief executive through "one person, one vote" from among a group of candidates chosen by a nominating committee in two years.

For CRI, this is Li Jing in Hong Kong.

1 vocal   

adj.直言不讳的；嗓音的；n.[pl.]声乐节目

参考例句：

• The tongue is a vocal organ.舌头是一个发音器官。
• Public opinion at last became vocal.终于舆论哗然。

2 anthem   

n.圣歌，赞美诗，颂歌

参考例句：

• All those present were standing solemnly when the national anthem was played.奏国歌时全场肃立。
• As he stood on the winner's rostrum,he sang the words of the national anthem.他站在冠军领奖台上，唱起了国歌。

3 prosper   

v.成功，兴隆，昌盛；使成功，使昌隆，繁荣

参考例句：

• With her at the wheel,the company began to prosper.有了她当主管，公司开始兴旺起来。
• It is my earnest wish that this company will continue to prosper.我真诚希望这家公司会继续兴旺发达。

4 legislative   

n.立法机构，立法权；adj.立法的，有立法权的

参考例句：

• Congress is the legislative branch of the U.S. government.国会是美国政府的立法部门。
• Today's hearing was just the first step in the legislative process.今天的听证会只是展开立法程序的第一步。

5 touching   

adj.动人的，使人感伤的

参考例句：

• It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
• His letter was touching.他的信很感人。

6 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

7 suffrage   

n.投票，选举权，参政权

参考例句：

• The question of woman suffrage sets them at variance.妇女参政的问题使他们发生争执。
• The voters gave their suffrage to him.投票人都投票选他。

8 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

9 vowing   

起誓，发誓（vow的现在分词形式）

参考例句：

• President Bush is vowing to help Minneapolis rebuild its collapsed bridge. 布什总统承诺将帮助明尼阿波利斯重建坍塌的大桥。
• President Bush is vowing to help Minneapolis rebuild this collapse bridge. 布什总统发誓要帮助明尼阿波利斯重建起这座坍塌的桥梁。

10 tightened   

收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧

参考例句：

• The rope holding the boat suddenly tightened and broke. 系船的绳子突然绷断了。
• His index finger tightened on the trigger but then relaxed again. 他的食指扣住扳机，然后又松开了。

11 eligible   

adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的

参考例句：

• He is an eligible young man.他是一个合格的年轻人。
• Helen married an eligible bachelor.海伦嫁给了一个中意的单身汉。