Hong Kong's Chief Executive (CE) Donald Tsang said Friday the passage of 2012 constitutional reform package lays down a milestone in the city's democratic development, which will not only improve the city's electoral system, but also lays a solid foundation for the community to pursue detailed arrangements for universal suffrage according to the established timetable.

Speaking to reporters following the passage, Tsang said it is a valuable experience for the government, political parties and the community in the implementation of the Basic Law, adding it has fostered trust, communication and tolerance in the community.

Thanking people who have worked selflessly for greater democracy for Hong Kong, Tsang said history will give them the fair and positive judgment they deserve.

It will be unrealistic to expect political reform to be painless in a pluralistic society like Hong Kong, he said, and however, history will prove the reform today is a decisive step in the right direction.

"The vote today is both an end and a beginning. Hong Kong will no longer be the same. More and more people will join us on this journey to democracy and to the promised land of universal suffrage. With growing strength and confidence, we will overcome each and every challenge coming our way," he added.

The constitutional reform package refers to the proposals on the methods of selecting the CE and on forming the Legislative Council in 2012, which was announced by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on April 14 this year.

Earlier on Friday, HK's 60-member LegCo passed the amendment to the method for forming the LegCo in 2012 on a 46-12 vote. On Thursday, it had passed the electoral method for selecting HK's Chief Executive in 2012 on a 46-13 vote.

The two methods will take effect after receiving the consent of Tsang himself and being reported to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for approval.

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