Hong Kong leader 'says democracy possible by 2012'

Hong Kong's political leader, Donald Tsang, has reportedly indicated the Chinese city could be fully democratic by 2012.

The city's Sunday Morning Post newspaper quoted Mr Tsang as saying "it is possible to implement universal suffrage any time, including 2012."

It was the first time the Beijing-backed chief executive had offered any sort of timetable for reforms.

Pro-democracy advocates have long called for full democracy in Hong Kong, where leaders are selected by a committee of 800 pro-Beijing elites and only half the 60-seat legislature is directly elected.

- RADIO AUSTRALIA