Hong Kong  - Pro-democracy legislators in Hong Kong were Monday considering mass resignations to force what they claim would be a de facto referendum on universal suffrage.

One legislator from each of the city's five electoral districts may resign to protest the administration's controversial proposals for constitutional reform.

Alternatively, all 23 pro-democracy legislators could resign unless the government produces an alternative plan to bring the city of 7 million closer to universal suffrage.

Pro-democracy legislators oppose the Beijing-appointed government's proposals for constitutional reform in 2012, unveiled last week.

Currently, Hong Kong has only limited democracy with half its 60 legislators directly elected. The other half chosen by professional lobbies who are generally allied with the government.

Under its mini-constitution, Hong Kong was technically entitled to full democracy in 2007, but Beijing has intervened to insist there can be no universal suffrage until at least 2017.

Pro-democracy legislators voted down similar constitutional reform proposals in 2005 for not going far enough, and are now threatening to derail the latest plan.

The administration proposal made only minor changes to the current electoral system, expanding the legislature by 10 seats, five of them directly elected and five appointed by district councillors.

The election committee, responsible for choosing the chief executive, would increase from 796 members to 1,200.

Chief Secretary Henry Tang described the reforms, now subject to a three-month public consultation, as a "golden opportunity." But government critics were less impressed.

Pro-democracy groups staged protest marches Sunday and called for full democracy by 2012, something Beijing has already ruled out.

The democracy camp is split between those who favour resignations and forcing of by-elections, and those who believe that will only antagonize China and make full democracy less likely.

Hong Kong was a British colony for 156 years before reverting to Chinese sovereignty in 1997 under a "one country two systems" arrangement, guaranteeing political freedoms not granted to people elsewhere in China. (dpa)